Ion

One purpose of Plato’s “Ion” is to explore the distinction between knowledge and creativity. One of Plato’s goals is to understand what knowledge is, what can be known, and what it means to know. In “Ion,” Plato juxtaposes truth and knowledge with creativity and inspiration (which he assumes do not require knowledge) to understand more about the nature of both.

Socrates argues that divine inspiration is distinct from knowledge using the Socratic method. When used properly, the Socratic method necessitates that the interlocutor agrees with the conclusion because they agreed with all the premises that preceded it. If they do not, it implies there is a contradiction in the person’s views.

Socrates uses this method throughout his conversation with Ion. First, when Ion suggests that he can only interpret Homer’s poetry because Homer is the best poet, Socrates proposes to Ion that he ought to be capable of interpreting other poets even when their writing is not as good as Homer’s. He gives examples of other professionals who are capable of judging and speaking about both the good and the bad of their craft. Socrates concludes that the source of Ion’s knowledge cannot be craft or skill, because if it were, he would understand all poetry and not just Homer.