Imagine, says Plato, through his interlocutor, Socrates, what it would be like to be unchained and dragged out to the light outside. First, of course, the brilliant glare would be painful, and one would crave a return to the dark familiarity of the cave. Ultimately, however, the true wonder of the world would become intoxicating – so much so that a return to one’s previous state of ignorant slavery would be unthinkable. And even if one did return, how would it be possible to communicate the truth without appearing mad to those who had no idea of it?
Plato argued, however, that this is precisely the responsibility of a true philosopher. He must be willing to forsake the comfort of his own safe vision of reality and embark on travels through frightening new terrains of the mind. But more important, he must not be content to remain in his ivory tower of learning, separate from the rest of the human race, but must be willing to return to the world of men, to attempt to educate those who govern the affairs of men in the true workings of the universe.
– Lawrence M. Krauss, Hiding in the Mirror
One Response to Why you joined a bowling league