Socrates definition of philosophical education was the removal of unclear erroneous ideas from raw undefined ideas to achieve the truth. The bringing to life of the truth from behind a false assumption that we once held dear to our hearts and lived by as the truth. And now this reality steers back at us proving that we were misled in our thinking. We were then of a fact held prisoners by this false assumption bound by its reflected images and followed mindlessly because of its attraction. So I would have to agree with Socrates that without questioning in order to understand the real meaning of the norms of society to create changes we will be like the prisoners in the cave. Because without this ability to deduce the truth we cannot create change and without change there is no advancement.
Philosophy will liberate an individual who understands that they don’t know all things. This acknowledgement then opens your mind to wisdom and understanding of the greater truth. This greater truth is for the appreciation of one’s soul, the understanding of what really matters in life. Not the material or pleasure seeking matters but ones spirituality.
Socrates had achieved a greater understanding for life and with this there was nothing else that really mattered. Once you have learnt something that changes your life in a good way you don’t want it to ever leave. Philosophy was that something for Socrates.
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You capture the spirit of Socrates' insight very nicely here. This idea of philosophy as liberation that you talk about is really crucial to Plato's view of philosophy. Great start to your blog!
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