Final answer:
Socrates believed that knowledge could not be simply taught but needed to be acquired through critical thinking and practice, encouraging self-reflection and dialogue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosopher who believed that knowledge could not be taught but acquired through practice was Socrates. Socrates, an influential Greek thinker, championed the idea of seeking knowledge through persistent questioning and critical thinking, a method now known as the Socratic Method. He emphasized the importance of understanding the limits of one's knowledge and encouraged the development of wisdom through continuous self-reflection and dialogue, rather than relying on formal teaching alone. His philosophical approach was profoundly dialectical, meaning that it relied on conversation between individuals to explore the validity of their beliefs and to pursue deeper truths. Socrates's legacy has profoundly influenced Western thought and the development of the practice of philosophy, asserting that through rigorous discussion and contemplation, we can refine our understanding of concepts like justice, virtue, and the good life.