2000 years ago, Plato, one of the forefathers of Western civilization,
materialized the foundational ideas on reflective thinking in the ?Allegory of
the Cave?, which stemmed from the ?Republic.? In his essay, he
symbolically shows the stages and value of reaching a higher level of thinking.
Being able to reflectively think is so important, it is still being discussed in
our modern times. In the essay ?How do we know? Why do we Believe??, by
Patricia King, the stages of thinking are outlined in order to help educators
better teach critical thinking. She describes how people process information and
arrive at conclusions. Her aspirations for the essay are to help people move
from pre-reflective thinking to reflective. King?s thinking stages are
symbolically represented in Plato?s essay. This connection shows how after
thousands of years, reflective thinking is still needed in our societies. In the
?Allegory of the Cave? from the Republic, Plato describes a situation about
men chained to the walls of a cave. The men are shown nothing but shadows from
puppets, consequently they believe it to be reality. When they hear voices, they
have no doubt those come from the shadows too. Plato then asks, what would
happen if one of the men was released and shown real objects outside the cave?
Would he trust them as real or would he think they were illusions too? After his
eyes grow accustomed to the light and he understood the seasons of the Earth,
would he want to return to the cave? Plato then inquires, if the man were to
venture back in the cave and tell his peers that the shadows were illusions,
would they just say the man?s eyes were destroyed by whatever he saw outside
the cave? And even possibly try to kill him? In Plato?s story, he symbolizes
the stages of thinking very well. The man released from the cave goes through
developmental stages which are profiled in King?s essay. Throughout Plato?s
and King?s essay, both continually show the need for teachers or in Plato?s
case, authority figures. King?s essay can very well be used to explain
Plato?s. A correlation amongst essays written thousands of years apart shows
an overwhelming importance with reflective thinking in societies. This higher
thinking is clearly shown to be needed in order for civilizations to survive.
King outlines the different stages in thinking, which in-turn correspond to
Plato?s essay. Stage one and two of King?s outline are, ?characterized by
the assumption that knowledge is gained through direct, personal observation or
through the word of an authority figure…?(section 11) This quote clearly
pertains to the men believing the cave?s shadows were reality. They think what
they see, in other words their personal observations, must be true. Whatever is
illuminating the shadows can be seen as the men?s authority figures. If this
light show is all they have known for their whole lives, they will be convinced
it is real. In Plato?s essay, authority figures play a major role in the lives
of the men in the caves and the development of their thought processes. King?s
whole essay is directed at teachers being able to understand and help their
students reach a higher level of thinking. King and Plato, though 2000 years
apart, similarly agree on the necessity of teachers. King describes stage three
as answers exist, but are temporarily inaccessible. This stage is reflected when
the man is being dragged out of the cave and his eyes are hurt by the light.
While his eyes are adjusting to the light, he knows answers are out there, but
at the moment he cannot see and understand them. The pain in his eyes makes him
want to turn back. The pain represents unfamiliarity, which like pain makes him
want discontinue the journey. If there wasn?t an authority figure present, the
man would probably turn back. In King?s essay, when a student reaches the
unfamiliarity stage, the teacher has to keep assisting the student in further
development. Stage four is where, ?Evidence emerges as an important ingredient
in the construction of knowledge claims, along with the acknowledgment that the
evidence itself cannot be known with absolute certainty.?(section13) The man
released from the cave discovers a whole new world outside. His eyes adjust to
the sunlight, and he is able to make out images of men, the sun, the moon, and
even the stars. He begins to understand nature?s seasons by observing the
environment. He now understands that what he saw before had nothing to do with
the real world. Therefore, he now looks for evidence when drawing conclusions.
He doesn?t just assume everything that he can see is real. By the man now
understanding that evidence must play a key role in decision making, he has
actually become a reflective thinker. After he has seen the outside world, he
wants to venture back to the cave and teach his old friends of the new life and
how what they are seeing is not reality. Plato and King both stress the
importance of authority figures, and who else can teach reflective thinking than
someone who personally uses the method? The man has now become a teacher, by
venturing back into the cave he is playing his role as an authority figure or as
King would say, an educator. Plato?s line, ?one who has been drag[ged]…away
forcibly up the steep and rugged ascent and…hauled out into the
sunlight,?(section19) is someone who has achieved a higher vision of thinking.
King would agree with the quote in another sense. King would agree, people need
guidance in order to reach reflective thinking. She wouldn?t say people need
to be dragged to a higher level, but guided. Since the two essays are only
symbolic to each other, guided and dragged have virtually the same meaning. The
prisoner who was released would have never discovered his newly found way of
thinking if he was not dragged out of the cave. King?s model is directed at
educators to help guide students to the light. This concept of people needing to
be guided to the light shows how advanced Plato?s thoughts were for his time.
Plato?s intentions with his essay was to show that reflective thinkers were
needed to rule their society. Plato theorized that select individuals would be
taught the methods of reflective thinking and then appointed to high ranking
governmental positions. That was 2000 years ago, and the constitution among
other things would not allow that sort of government today. King is proposing
that all teachers educate all the students with the higher form of thinking. She
theorizes that everyone is going to have some sort of position in life where
reflective thinking would benefit. If Plato were around today, he would more
than likely side with King. Both writers stress the vital role that the
authority figure plays in the subject?s and student?s lives. The reflective
thinkers are the people who are needed to educate society. The times have
defiantly changed, but the need for the higher forms of thinking amongst society
has not.
336
Другие работы по теме:
Plato Essay Research Paper PlatoLIFEPlato was born
Plato Essay, Research Paper Plato LIFE Plato was born to an aristocratic family in athens, greece. When he was a child his father, Ariston, who was believed to be descended from the early kings of Athens died, and his mother, Perictione married Pyrilampes. As a young man Plato was always interested in political leadership and eventully became a disciple of Socrates.
PlatoS Biography Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato`S Biography Essay, Research Paper Plato’s LifeThere is an ancient story (very likely a true one) that Plato was originally named Aristocles, but acquired the nickname Plato (”broad” or “wide” in Greek) on account of his broad shoulders. Both of Plato’s parents were from distinguished aristocratic families.
Rodney King Essay Research Paper Rodney KingThe
Rodney King Essay, Research Paper Rodney King The person that I chose for my English semester research paper is the unforgettable Rodney King. Rodney King, to most people?s recollection, was an innocent black victim that was pulled over and violently beaten by many white police officers. A civilian caught the beating on a video camera, but only the beating.
Khufu Essay Research Paper Around 2610 BC
Khufu Essay, Research Paper Around 2610 B.C., the king of Egypt, Sneferu, had his first son, Khufu. Khufu ruled from 2589-2528 B.C. While he ruled, he decided to build a great
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated Duncan when he came to the land. She hated the fact that he stood a chance of being king over her husband which ment she stood a chance of not being queen. Knowing this,
Thomas Vs Moore Essay Research Paper Plato
Thomas Vs. Moore Essay, Research Paper Plato’s Republic and Thomas More’s Utopia have a relationship in that they both share an idea. These books both have the concept of an ideal society, although they do this for distinct reasons and they attain contrasted types of perfection. More describes Utopia as “the most civilized nation in the world”.
Aristotle 2 Essay Research Paper Aristotle s
Aristotle 2 Essay, Research Paper Aristotle s Life Aristotle (384-322 BC) was a Greek philosopher, educator, and scientist, and was also one of the most influential thinkers in Western culture (World Book 663). Through his writings, Aristotle considered, summarized, criticized, and helped to further develop many of these traditions from which he had learned from Plato, his teacher.
Plato Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Essay, Research Paper Plato’s theory of knowledge is found in the Republic, particularly in his discussion of the image about the myth of the cave. Plato distinguishes between two levels of awareness:
Anglo Saxons Essay Research Paper Chivalry was
Anglo Saxons Essay, Research Paper Chivalry was probably most recognizable quality of Beowulf. If anything, Beowulf had great respect for his king. He loved him and honored him with all his heart. If asked to do anyhting by the King. Beowulf would accept with pride, Whn the King died, it was Beowulf that was asked to take over.
Plato The Philosopher Essay Research Paper
“Plato the Philosopher” Plato was born in 427 BC and died in 347 BC. In his early life Plato was exposed to war service and political ambitions. However, he was never really sorrowful towards t
Murder At Inverness Essay Research Paper Murder
Murder At Inverness Essay, Research Paper Murder at Inverness By Aaron Klugh Last night at Inverness, Macbeth?s castle, King Duncan was stabbed to death. Macduff was the first who discovered Duncan dead in his bedroom. Along with the King, the guards were also murdered. Macbeth said he killed the guards in a fit of rage.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth EssayFrom the
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Essay From the very beginning Macbeth has been a victim of the witches? prophecy and Lady Macbeth?s ambition. With no support he soon succumbed to the pressures of each.
Patricia Smith Essay Research Paper Patti Smith
Patricia Smith Essay, Research Paper Patti Smith Homepages, Biographies, and Interests a patti smith babelogue – The premier site for any and all information, from contacting patti to poetry, sound clips, performances, etc.
Discoveries Of Archimedes Essay Research Paper The
Discoveries Of Archimedes Essay, Research Paper ?The Discoveries of Archimedes? Archimedes truly was a man ahead of his time. He forever changed the face of mathematics and one of his discoveries even helped change the face of the earth.
Patricia Lynch
’s Childhood Essay, Research Paper Patricia Lynch was born in Fairhill in Cork on June 4th, 1894. Patricia’s mother, Nora Lynch, a noted storyteller, filled Patricia’s early childhood with fascinating stories and folklore.
The Tempest Essay Research Paper Prospero
The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Prospero’s philosopher lacking Shakespeake’s Tempest is a window into his idea of a utopia. The island serves as a place much like that of Plato’s Republic and Moore’s Utopia. But, Prospero, the leader of Shakespeare’s Tempest is not the same philosopher king that both Moore and Plato wished to rule their respective societies.
Rebel Essay Research Paper For Judy lipstick
Rebel Essay, Research Paper For Judy, lipstick has both pleasurable and painful connotations. Her conflict with her father stems from her wearing it and his rejection of it. “He looks at me like I m the ugliest thing in the world,” she tells an officer. Her desire to get her father s attention with lipstick is characteristic of the Electra complex she has for him.
King LearBlindness Essay Research Paper King Lear
King Lear-Blindness Essay, Research Paper King Lear is in many ways like Nunez in the story The country of the Blind . They are both simliar because they both do not realize that they are both blind in what others think of them. They might think that they are right beacause both of them think that the people around them are inferior because of the way that they appear.
Poetics Essay Research Paper The subject of
Poetics Essay, Research Paper The subject of the Poetics is poetry, including epic poetry, tragedy and comedy. Unlike Plato, Aristotle regards poetry as a techne. The practice of poetry is governed by rules; these rules can be formulated and taught. Poetry is rationally comprehensible.
Plato Vs Aristotle Essay Research Paper How
Plato Vs. Aristotle Essay, Research Paper How do we explain the world around us? How can we get to the truth? Plato and Aristotle began the quest to find the answers thousands of years ago. Amazingly, all of philosophy since that time can be described as only a rehashing of the original argument between Plato and Aristotle.
Theory Of Recollection Essay Research Paper Plato
Theory Of Recollection Essay, Research Paper Plato has had a Theory of Recollection to explain our access of knowledge, that knowledge is from within, and not obtained through experience. The Theory of Recollection refers to the idea that recollection is like the soul, where it is maintained and never dying, therefore it constitutes the spiritual aspect of remembering.
The Republic By Plato 427
– 347 B.C.) Essay, Research Paper The Republic is one of the foundational writings of Western philosophy and civilization. We see Platonic thought and Socratic methodology still vitally evolving in today’s world. Dialectic
Plato 2 Essay Research Paper Plato was
Plato 2 Essay, Research Paper Plato was born in Athens, about 427 BC, and died there about 347 BC In early life Plato saw war service and had political ambitions. However, he was never really sympathetic to the Athenian democracy and he could not join in its government. He was a follower of Socrates, whose disciple he became in 409 BC, and the execution of that philosopher by the democrats in 399 BC was a crushing blow.
Plato Vs Nietzche- The Nature Of
Good Essay, Research Paper Plato Vs. Nietzsche: The Nature of Good Plato and Nietzsche have opposing views on the nature of good. Plato, as demonstrated in the “The Cave” and “Apology,” believes that Good is absolute. This means that he is of the opinion that there is one perfect version of Good for all people, whether they are rich or poor, powerful or weak.
Plato Essay Research Paper There are many
Plato Essay, Research Paper There are many ways in which the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle have reached that of that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, due to the fact that Aristotle thought the world that we live in today is the ultimate reality. While Plato thought the world that we see every day is real but is not the ultimate reality.
Aristotle Essay Research Paper Aristotle b 384
Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle (b. 384 – d. 322 BC), was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato, Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most
Writing Techniques Essay Research Paper Writing TechniquesAfter
Writing Techniques Essay, Research Paper Writing Techniques After reading Katha Pollitt?s essay ?It Takes Two: A Modest Proposal for Holding Fathers Equally Accountable? and Patricia Mainardi?s essay ?The Politics of Housework?, several writing techniques become apparent in both essays.
Aristotle Essay Research Paper Aristotle 384 BC
Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle (384 BC -322 BC) was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato (author of The Republic), Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory.
Socrates And Sophist Essay Research Paper Socrates
Socrates And Sophist Essay, Research Paper Socrates and Sophist Plato s Sophist is one of the only dialogues in which Socrates isn t the main character. This makes for an interesting question: why? Why would Plato stray from the norm of making his teacher the main focus of this dialogue? As I ve thought about this I ve come up with three possible explanations that may explain Plato s decision.
Nietzche Vs Socrates And Plato Essay Research
Paper Nietzsche s thoughts on finite differed dramatically from Socrates and Plato. Nietzsche believes that everyone should embrace the finite because you will enhance this life and make it more beautiful. He rejects the theory that eternity is of more importance than the present life. To Nietzsche, pursuing what you love to do is the only way to excellence.
Philosophies Of Socrates Plato And Aristotle Essay
, Research Paper Philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle The philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had different points of-view but they were also similar in some ways. For example, all three
Plato Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Plato vs SocratesPlato was one of the most influential and significant philosophers throughout the antient and modern world. Through his rich blood line and his years of studying under Socrates, Plato was able to develop various theories, such as the Theory of Knowledge and The Forms.
Oedipus The King And Allegory Of The
Cave – Comparative Analysis Essay Essay, Research Paper In Sophocles? play, Oedipus, the King, there are various instances where Oedipus tries to escape his destiny?enlightenment?only to discover the truth that he cannot. Similarly, in Plato?s ?Allegory of the Cave? the prisoner travails to understand and adjust to his newly visited environment.