I have decided that a dream of mine is to go to a bar and drink a couple beers with Plato. I have been hanging out with him a lot lately, he does all the talking (I mean writing) whenever we go out. Plato's Republic is perhaps the most important book in our history. We are reading it for my Western Civilization class. Makes me want to be a lawyer, maybe I'll switch majors again, :-)He speaks of knowledge and understanding and the lust we must have for it, claiming that, "Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind." We must desire it and lust for it to obtain it.
As I watch people not questioning the things they are taught and not getting to the roots of what they believe, it is saddening because we turn into zombies. This has challenged me to not be lazy but to search and question deeper than ever before, otherwise I will not come about knowledge.
Plato has also challenged me to persevere with the growth of my beard. He has encouraged me to not waver but to be an example in growth. This growth is the second way of obtaining knowledge. (Plato doesn't specifically mention this in The Republic, though it is obviously implied by the actions of his life.)
3 comments:
Joshua
Knowledge. I ponder it. Why should I want it? The more I seem to obtain (and believe I have very little thus far) the more sense can be made of life. If there's a God and he freakin created us... that would imply that the design in all things natural (not skyscrapers but trees, not computers but people) will tell his story somehow. Buildings and social trends are to be valued also, but really, no one needs books... they can come I guess. What I think we need more of is the study and reflection of the natural realm. But I will drive 10 miles to school monday on asphault roads to get an "accredited" form of education. Another thing... to question ones root seems a sign of weakness in faith... confusing. Sometimes I feel that I am wasting a lot of time with doubt. A weakness. But then I think of knowledge and learning and know that the truth is to be sought out... not handed to us. But I do not know, I do not know.
good night. Today we lose an hour. Tomorrow we lose today.
i clepped out of western civ
Dear erifonos, I don't think that it is a weakness to question the root of what we believe brother. To question the root is essential to understand how the root can truly be defined. I guess that is almost a never-ending process though, which would lead us to depend on faith, which we must do at some point. But we must be actively involved in the process of discovering our roots, or the 'natural realm' as you say erifonos. If we do not have a context on which to base our beliefs they lack substance. Which is why knowledge cannot be forced upon us, which is why we need seek after truth so that our beliefs will have substance.
I am thinking about what you said, "we need more of the study and reflection of the natural realm." Interesting... Why are books not part of the natural realm? After all they come for the minds of man which is natural and has substance as does a tree or a bird does it not? An idea is a natural creation is it not?
Berto you're an asshole... :) Love you brother
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