Plato

            The ideas of ignorance, intelligence, and truth are values that span nearly every culture, religion, and philosophy. The struggle to obtain absolute truth and to eradicate blindness is one that many would view as very important, but they would also disagree on how to go about this. In The Republic and Timaeus, Plato’s thoughts on these subjects were discussed, and there were some very obvious similarities to both the Christian faith and previous readings that we have done.

            Starting with the metaphor of the cave in book 7 of The Republic, Socrates shows how education and thinking bring about the rise in understanding. The ascension of the people in the cave into the outside world was characterized by the acquisition of a deeper comprehension of the world, and the steps to reaching this involve changing one’s entire way of life. Both pieces essentially compare ignorance to living in darkness, and it is alike to not even being able to think for ourselves. Stepping out of the cave is gaining knowledge and reasoning for yourself, allowing one to have their own beliefs and ideas. This relates, in a way, to Christianity as well. The world is constantly searching for a source of truth to cling to, and they never find it in worldly things. As Christians, we find our truth and beliefs based in the Lord, and we are able to be absolutely certain about what to believe. In a way, this allows us to “step out of the cave” and to have a greater understanding that we know is grounded in truth.

            The texts also talked about the importance of education in the world. As the people left the cave, their increase in knowledge symbolized the effects of education. Learning led the people to higher philosophical position which is similar to how Holmes discussed education in The Liberal Arts. In this, Holmes explained how education not only is important in our lives but can actually teach us more about God. This is very similar to how the people that leave the cave and gain knowledge reach a higher state, almost as if they are getting closer to God.

            Another thing that I found interesting is how Socrates believed that only certain people should be involved in higher thinking and bringing other people out of the cave. I definitely agree that we need to bring people “out of the cave” and show them the truth, but I don’t really think that it should be exclusive. This is just like how, as Christians, we need to bring others to know God.  It is our job, as anyone that has “stepped out of the cave” and knows God, to reach others to be saved also.