Even after thousands of years Plato and Socrates teachings are as
valid in today communities as it was in their times. Plato left
us a blueprint etch in stone in becoming an idealistic human
being and righteous community. Through Crito, Apology, and the
Republic, Plato reveals that even though the unjust ideals may be
enticing it will bring a just happiness.
In book VII of The Republic, Socrates speaks with Glaucon
about the analogy of "The Cave". This analogy represents
humanity as being ignorant and uneducated. Unable to
conceptualize or understand beyond what can be seen. People in
the Cave were unable to see anything except the images made that
are cast against the wall which for the most part are false.
This is their reality. Socrates teaches that one must realize
the falseness of the shadows and turn to search for the truth.
One must question the traditions of the community to seek
knowledge. I can relate this to the community I grew up. It was
a community that didn't believe in education as an important tool
to success. I would see generation after generation of people
who would continue the same blindness and not realizing the truth
in knowledge. I was one of the few who wanted more than what the
cave offered. I knew there was more than what was in my
community. So I left my community studied how other communities
achieved success that I was searching. Socrates also teaches
that the ones who do find knowledge out of the cave must return
and inform them of what you have seen and what reality really is.
In my experience I have done such thing by returning to my
community and letting family, friends and acquaintances know of
the fallacy we are living in. I would inform them of a better
life outside of the cave that is my community. Socrates teaches
us the goal of a philosopher is to think and comprehend matters
beyond those of this world. It is ...