Education, Crisis And The Cultivation Of A Great Leader

Education, Crisis and The Cultivation of a Great Leader Introduction Education, as a source of or solution to the crisis of problems in society, is the basis for the following discussion. Naturally, the philosophy of education has been a topic of complex analysis by the prominent philosophers throughout history in an attempt to address issue facing the societies of their era, and continues to be a controversial and challenging issue in the 21st century. One must question the reason for why education, which is essential to the evolution of the human species, has remained an unruly hindrance to societies as far back as one can see. In this paper, I will argue in agreement of education as a solution to crisis in the society. I will use†¦show more content†¦Education is the first point of debate during this exchange of ideas (Plato, The Republic,p.3). It appears to me that Plato’s brilliant use of metaphor in the legendary allegory of the cave is a comparison on the role of education in regard to the human soul. Plato’s depiction o f the prisoners in the cave is a scene I would imagine is referencing humanity without education. Plato attempts to explain the lack of education as a complete limitation of the individual in the following excerpt, â€Å"how could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their head?† (Plato, The Republic,p.14). The uneducated man who first ventures into the world of knowledge is explained to initially endure distress and difficulty. â€Å"At first, when any of them is liberated and compelled suddenly to stand up and turn his neck round and walk and look towards the light, he will suffer sharp pains; the glare will distress him, and he will be unable to see the realities of which in his former state he had seen the shadows† (Plato, The Republic,p.14). One must question if Plato suggests that the uneducated individual will find the process of education difficult and question if remaining in the state of ignorance would be preferable as no eff ort is required to exist under those terms? Or perhaps the comparison is only in regard to the spiritual knowledge attained by the soul as a difficult and painful procession? I would guess that the implications of the comparison