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I can relate to Socrates a bit. I tend to challenge "the trends." For example, when it came time to enroll my five year olds in school, I asked, "Why must they attend school at age 5?" Research proved that they do not have to attend at age five. Compulsary education in most states begins around age 7 or 8. So why, I wondered, does everybody put their children in school at age five? I questioned those around me, much like Socrates questioned those around him. Those around me thought I was crazy. They couldn't accept the question, let alone the fact that there was no concrete answer. Most of them responded with some variation of, "Well, we send them to school because we're supposed to." That answer was not good enough for me, and our family became a homeschooling family. Like Socrates, we have encountered many people who question our judgement because they believe they are "wiser" than us. What is it that makes them wiser? Isn't that what Socrates was trying to determine?

When it came time to immunize my children, again I asked "Why?" There were no satisfactory answers, so we chose not to immunize, with the exception of Tetanus, which is a "logical decision" based on our life-style. Like Socrates, we have encountered many people who question our judgement because they believe they are "wiser" than us. What is it that makes them wiser? Isn't that what Socrates was trying to determine?

I think it is wise not to automatically follow the crowd. In my experience, (Guess I lean towards modern Continental Philosphy?) I have found that the crowd often has no idea why they are doing what they are doing. Is that wise? I think it is more wise to admit you do not have all the information (knowledge), and then proceed, or not, with caution.

Bewteen 559 and 545 B.C., a Prophet of God said, "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailities, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9:28-29)