Education of the Masses

Book 7 is one of my favorite philosophy pieces. The Simile of the Cave.

Education comes in many forms. You can be educated by books and teachers. However, what Socrates is talking about in the cave here is learning through perceived reality.  One group of people have a defined reality forced upon them. Shadows are all they know. Then one is set free to look on the fires and statues. A new reality is revealed that takes time to grow accustomed to. Likewise, when the person reaches the light of outside he must retreat then gradually ascend after getting used to the light. It's all a process. The reality we see is determined by our experience.

Education is the same way. It takes precious time to learn what we need to know. If we rush, it will overwhelm us and we will retreat from it. Each step brings us closer and closer to the enlightenment we seek. Some of us are simply further along in the cave of life than others.

P.S. I will be commenting on Phillip and Will's posts.