Importance of Education
P. Filemoni
Engl. 120
Essay #2
1 April 2013
Essay #2
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first president, once stated that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In America, Education is a vital part in someone’s life. It determines whether or not one has the skills to perform different tasks, it tests one’s ability to retain material, and serves as a determinant of one’s status in society. It is very important for America to give everyone, from children to adults, the chance to receive an education. No one in America should be able to say, “I can’t” when it comes to education. Having an education opens so many doors for opportunities in the future, such as a career, a promising future, and success. Sure, there are other means of guaranteeing one’s success in the future, but the most effective and efficient way to have a great future is through an education. Education should not be restricted to Americans because of the success that can come following a great education.
In “The Allegory of the Cave”, Plato flaunts the effects of education on the human soul. Plato asks the audience to imagine this: A group of people who have lived, since birth, in a cave, without any exposure to the outside world. The group of people are tied up so that they are restricted to seeing one another, and can only look forward. Behind the group is a fire and behind the fire is a wall. On top of the wall are statues, operated by other people, who are staying out of sight. Due to the fire, the statues are displayed as shadows to the group. The group watches as the shadows act out, and because of their exposure to this, the shadows are the only things that the group knows. Plato goes on to imagine what happens if one of the people escape from their bonds. The prisoner is finally exposed to reality, and begins to comprehend how amazing the real world is. The allegory of the cave represents two halves of learning. One
Engl. 120
Essay #2
1 April 2013
Essay #2
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first president, once stated that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In America, Education is a vital part in someone’s life. It determines whether or not one has the skills to perform different tasks, it tests one’s ability to retain material, and serves as a determinant of one’s status in society. It is very important for America to give everyone, from children to adults, the chance to receive an education. No one in America should be able to say, “I can’t” when it comes to education. Having an education opens so many doors for opportunities in the future, such as a career, a promising future, and success. Sure, there are other means of guaranteeing one’s success in the future, but the most effective and efficient way to have a great future is through an education. Education should not be restricted to Americans because of the success that can come following a great education.
In “The Allegory of the Cave”, Plato flaunts the effects of education on the human soul. Plato asks the audience to imagine this: A group of people who have lived, since birth, in a cave, without any exposure to the outside world. The group of people are tied up so that they are restricted to seeing one another, and can only look forward. Behind the group is a fire and behind the fire is a wall. On top of the wall are statues, operated by other people, who are staying out of sight. Due to the fire, the statues are displayed as shadows to the group. The group watches as the shadows act out, and because of their exposure to this, the shadows are the only things that the group knows. Plato goes on to imagine what happens if one of the people escape from their bonds. The prisoner is finally exposed to reality, and begins to comprehend how amazing the real world is. The allegory of the cave represents two halves of learning. One