A line of people walking, short-sighted, through a cave trying to interpret shadows cast by people holding up artifacts. As it relates today it’s the educational system of educators linearly reading out of a textbook to silent, unquestioning students. Whereas most students progress through their education exactly as it is prescribed to them by the ones casting the shadows. "Well, then, I suppose that if the nature we set down for the philosopher chances on a suitable course of learning, it will necessarily grow and come to every kind of virtue; but if it isn 't sown, planted, and nourished in what 's suitable, it will come to all the opposite, unless one of the gods chances to assist it” (492a). Socrates exemplifies the importance of education especially from a young age as being able to make all the difference. The analogy between agriculture and education is especially fitting in that a seed will not flourish if not properly nourished and nurtured. For a student to become a philosopher, a necessary realization must occur: education is not pouring knowledge into the soul but rather turning the whole soul in the direction and pursuit of knowledge. “…those who are without education and experience of the truth would never be adequate stewards of a city” (519c). Socrates argues that those who finally see the light must come back not to share the newfound knowledge with other but to rule them. However this is unjust to the now philosophers because their job is to philosophize, not rule. Because they are philosophers, their desire and love is now of wisdom. They have escaped menial pursuits of sex and money. However to have them rule and go against their love of wisdom is
A line of people walking, short-sighted, through a cave trying to interpret shadows cast by people holding up artifacts. As it relates today it’s the educational system of educators linearly reading out of a textbook to silent, unquestioning students. Whereas most students progress through their education exactly as it is prescribed to them by the ones casting the shadows. "Well, then, I suppose that if the nature we set down for the philosopher chances on a suitable course of learning, it will necessarily grow and come to every kind of virtue; but if it isn 't sown, planted, and nourished in what 's suitable, it will come to all the opposite, unless one of the gods chances to assist it” (492a). Socrates exemplifies the importance of education especially from a young age as being able to make all the difference. The analogy between agriculture and education is especially fitting in that a seed will not flourish if not properly nourished and nurtured. For a student to become a philosopher, a necessary realization must occur: education is not pouring knowledge into the soul but rather turning the whole soul in the direction and pursuit of knowledge. “…those who are without education and experience of the truth would never be adequate stewards of a city” (519c). Socrates argues that those who finally see the light must come back not to share the newfound knowledge with other but to rule them. However this is unjust to the now philosophers because their job is to philosophize, not rule. Because they are philosophers, their desire and love is now of wisdom. They have escaped menial pursuits of sex and money. However to have them rule and go against their love of wisdom is