Plato: Education

Book VII by Plato regarding education was at first difficult to read, however, the ending brought everything together in a way that made it all make sense. As I understood, Plato believes education is a matter of turning individuals form the darkness to the light or visa versa. Plato believes everyone is capable of being educated. That education is supposed to redirect people’s thinking in the right direction. Plato compares education to sight throughout the story. He states, opening ones mind to knowledge is like ones eyes adjusting to the light from darkness or darkness from light. As your eyes adjust, one is unable to comprehend the sights they are seeing and once “understood”, until adjusted. Once adjusted there becomes a better understanding of the world around them. With this better understanding, Plato believes individuals should not avoid going back into the darkness, for it is their duty to help study and compel the natures to ensure the greater good for society and individuals. Education brings upon a society based of laws to ensure safety and regulation. “The law produces such people in the city, not in order to allow them to turn in whatever direction they want, but to make use of them to bind the city together.” (pg 6).