Why did Socrates describe himself as an inquirer rather than a teacher?

Socrates described himself as an inquirer rather than a teacher because he maintained that he possessed no wisdom of his own and was instead striving for it. Unlike the Sophists of his time, who claimed to possess knowledge and taught for money, Socrates insisted that he did not teach anything directly.12

His approach, often referred to as the Socratic method, was rooted in the recognition of his own ignorance. By engaging others in conversation, he sought to expose the inconsistencies in their beliefs and actions through a series of probing questions. He viewed this process of cross-examination as a necessary preliminary to the search for truth, aiming to awaken others to an awareness of their own lack of understanding regarding ethical virtues.34125

Ultimately, Socrates believed that human wisdom begins with the recognition of one's own ignorance. By positioning himself as an ignorant inquirer, he hoped to acquire greater wisdom about how to live a virtuous life, rather than acting as an authority figure who provided definitive answers.342