Philosophy  

In his defense, Socrates famously says that he is wiser than most, but only to the extent that he does not pretend to know something which he does not know.  Rather, he says, "I am quite conscious of my ignorance" (Apology, 21d).  Identifying and acknowledging gaps in one's knowledge is the first step toward achieving understanding and wisdom.  Similarly, when you are writing a research paper, preparing for a presentation, or contemplating any other kind of assignment, your success depends on your ability to identify and articulate what you do not know.  The better you can express what information you are lacking, the easier it is to locate a resource that can supply that information.  The resources available to students and faculty at IUPUI are literally unlimited:  besides a print collection, the University Library provides access to thousands of ebooks and subscription journals through online databases and to materials held at other libraries worldwide through interlibrary loan (ILL).  As a result, students and faculty can easily draw from a rich body of scholarship and continue on their paths toward wisdom and understanding.