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John Paul Fiallos
ENG108 BAH
Art of Composition 1
Dr. V. Hromulak
12/18/13
Argumentative Essay In The Defense Of Enlightenment
In todays society we live in the age of information in which we exchange, trade and
generate revenues based on the information we collect, store and share with other entities.
We have gone so far with information that scientists have cloned animals, sent people to
outer-space, and now we are on the verge of creating artificial life. The acquisition of the
accumulated knowledge, information, and data that we as humans have generated
throughout the ages in what used to take up volumes of books and much floor space in
buildings can now be stored in a single USB flash drive. Information which used to be only
accessible in physical locations on physical media has transitioned from those analog
media types to more accessible digital media such as computer tablets, and mobile
smartphones which are powered by the internet. Established in nineteen-ninety-four the
rise of the internet has placed knowledge at the foot of our doorstep; at the press of a
button or even a screen we are interconnected to extreme amount of information all at our
figure tips.
Welcome to the Information Age and the Knowledge Economy that powers it, drives
it, and fulfills it. The knowledge that we possess is now one of the most important means of
trade. It is a dynamic commodity which is used to create the marvels we enjoy today; it is
indeed a metaphysical resource that brings about the physical resources we generate, such
as philosophy in which it is considered the root of all physical sciences that we use today to
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create, implement, and build with. This is why we go to university to acquire a degree, and
this is why we are at a consistent race to stay ahead of the rest of the competition, so that
those who know will have the edge, and the nitch to stay successful while whose who do
not have the knowledge will falter and lag behind.
The question that remains is: does the acquisition of knowledge create ascension to
personal enlightenment, or a dissension to individual despair? We as a society have come to a
comprehensive understanding of the world we live in through science and technology. This
comprehensive understanding as it is called The Scientific Method which has brought about a
true understanding of the discoveries made throughout the ages. The forefather of such
understanding came from the classical Greek philosopher Socrates the father of philosophy.
Socrates employed The Socratic Method to discover the internal working of the ideas of that
era. This in turn helped Socrates to have a comprehensive understanding of the truth of things
which is called VERITAS; creating a perspective and enlightenment to the problems of the day.
As VERITAS and knowledge is conducive towards enlightenment it can also bring about
another side on how individuals view VERITAS. The knowlege of things can also bring about
dissension which can create a burden and inner turmoil. The entropy created by the truth can
contribute to disparity and the feelings of unsurmountable responsibility which can bring an
individual to despair. However I believe that the acquisition of knowledge brings the VERITAS of
personal enlightenment, virtuous self-growth, and the benefit of individual development;
because (1) education creates an understanding of our world, that (2) produces knowledge in
our consciousness; which creates awareness of ourselves and the world around us, thus (3)
creating an enlightenment of the mind, and our conscience which forces us to change our
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perceptions thus challenging us to shift our focus to concentrate on what is actually happening
in reality as so individuals can ascertain the truth of things (VERITAS).
As recorded by Plato in the dialog of The Republic; Socratess allegory of the cave
illustrates the process in which one ascertains the world and begins the journey to becoming
enlightened. And suppose once more, that he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged
ascent, and held fast until hes forced into the presence of the sun himself, is he not likely to be
pained and irritated? When he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled, and he will not be
able to see anything at all of what are now called realities. Not all in a moment, he said. When
individuals first learn of a new reality those individuals are obfuscated by the shadows of our
own reality thus it makes it hard for us to understand the new reality because of the old ways
that were thought of as true from the examples of old practices such as bloodletting to cure
infection and disease. As such there is not a physical challenge to reach the apex of the ascent
to enlightenment but more of a mental perspective. Thus the battle rages between the
indoctrinated teachings and ideologies of those agents of socialization that brought us into the
world, versus the presence of the light in truth, and the enlightenment that becomes VERITAS.
Socrates also goes on to describe what happens to our minds when individuals reach the
higher intellects of our world. He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper
world. And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in
the water, and then the objects themselves; then he will gaze upon the light of the moon and
the stars and the spangled heaven; and he will see the sky and the stars by night better than the
sun or the light of the sun by day? Certainly. As an individual continue to explore the higher
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intellects of our society they will be exposed to the light which will bring them closer to
VERITAS and enlightenment; once they see the truth of things those old obfuscations that they
once knew so well will become a relic of the past because the truth will be focused, and clearer to
them as they become immersed in the upper worlds whereas creating a clear understanding of our
world.
Finding and reaching for VERITAS is not a modest endeavor; nor is attaining the
knowledge needed for the application of VERITAS. Socrates next dialog explains that the
process and the key to the comprehension of understanding VERITAS. The individual must first
be willing to make the ascension up the long and harsh road, and then they must endure the
ordeal of such a transition; to be able to question their own realities and to come to the
determination that the there is more than meets the eye and that the true meaning of VERITAS
is the ability to shed their ignorance, to see past what is being presented, and to have the
strength to finally see the light of the truth, and to attain the enlightenment of VERITAS and
ultimately be free from the dissensions of despair and entropy; thus having the comprehensive
understanding of VERITAS. And now look again, and see what will naturally follow it' the
prisoners are released and disabused of their error. 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; and then conceive someone saying to him,
that what he saw before was an illusion, but that now, when he is approaching nearer to being
and his eye is turned towards more real existence, he has a clearer vision, -what will be his
reply? And you may further imagine that his instructor is pointing to the objects as they pass
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and requiring him to name them, -will he not be perplexed? Will he not fancy that the shadows
which he formerly saw are truer than the objects which are now shown to him? Last of he will be
able to see the sun, and not mere reflections of him in the water, but he will see him in his own
proper place, and not in another; and he will contemplate him as he is. Far true.
As individual grows and becomes self-actualized the journey to ascension from the
darkness to the light instills inspiration, virtue and a sense of altruism for their peers. Socrates
states in his dialog He will then proceed to argue that this is he who gives the season and the
years, and is the guardian of all that is in the visible world, and in a certain way the cause of all
things which he and his fellows have been accustomed to behold?
Clearly, he said, he would first see the sun and then reason about him. And when he
remembered his old habitation, and the wisdom of the den and his fellow-prisoners, do you not
suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them? This individual has
transcended from there ego (self) to develop within themselves the super-ego which is a
person's state of mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, which implements the dynamics
learned from of the upper realms in which they have attained the comprehensions of VERITAS
and thus has acquired the knowledge, information and the truth set forth from the empirical
evidences, and realities that the upper realms offer to the world. For these reasons it compels
us, and drives us to no longer accept the statues-quo, nor accept the values that groupthink
generates, nor the ethnocentrism or egocentric ideologies that obfuscate the mind. These
practices are the nexus that transmutes ignorance; which is synthesized into facts that are
based on the very practices and behaviors that obfuscate the mind; which in turn creates dissension
and leaves us in despair. That is why once individuals are enlightened and armed with the
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knowledge which VERITAS creates in us do these individuals feel the responsibility to help those
who cannot help themselves, and free them from the same bondage that once shacked the
enlightened individual, that in itself is a display of true altruism for others who are less
fortunate and are in need.
I understand that the acquisition of knowledge can show things that are coming to be,
and for those in which the reality presented can be seen as overtaxing, and the gravity of such
events can be too overwhelming which creates burdens and hardships. Socrates mentioned in
his dialog. And if he is compelled to look straight at the light, will he not have a pain in his eyes
which will make him turn away to take and take in the objects of vision which he can see, and
which he will conceive to be in reality clearer than the things which are now being shown to
him? True, he now. There are times in which the stress of knowing the truth can create a
burden so great that instead of motivating and inspiring it can instill a conviction of fear in
which it would be better to stay in the familiarity of the darkness than to venture forth and
seek the truth beyond our well established comforts.
There are those who also fear the ramifications of those who are living in bondage with
those who have an understanding of the truth. Another fear is created by those who dont think
like the other think as such this creates a fear of rejection among your peers and neighbors.
Individuals that used to call you friend, but no longer because of the differences in which they
think therefor creating a burden, and another reason for dissension within society to prevent
them from seeking the light and make a difference that VERITAS creates. Socrates makes this
point in his dialog And if they were in the habit of conferring honours among themselves on
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those who were quickest to observe the passing shadows and to remark which of them went
before, and which followed after, and which were together; and who were therefore best able
to draw conclusions as to the future, do you think that he would care for such honours and
glories, or envy the possessors of them? Would he not say with Homer, Better to be the poor
servant of a poor master, and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after
their manner? Yes, he said, I think that he would rather suffer anything than entertain these
false notions and live in this miserable manner. Imagine once more, I said, such an one coming
suddenly out of the sun to be replaced in his old situation; would he not be certain to have his
eyes full of darkness? To be sure, he said. So even though the enlightened individuals can come
out of the darkness and into the light there is an inevitable chance that they can go back into
the darkness because our peers will not listen or open their minds to the truth that is VERITAS,
and thus creates the burden of silence regardless of the messages, evidence and information
that is presented to the apathetic mind.
There are also the burdens that can create direct dissension with the whole of the
society. Challenging their way of life can cause great conflicts which lead to death and
destruction. These individuals are so far gone into the abyss and their bondage is so great that
not only will they not listen to the message, but they will murder anyone who challenges their
ideology and way of life. In Socrates dialog he states. And if there were a contest, and he had
to compete in measuring the shadows with the prisoners who had never moved out of the den,
while his sight was still weak, and before his eyes had become steady (and the time which would
be needed to acquire this new habit of sight might be very considerable) would he not be
ridiculous? Men would say of him that up he went and down he came without his eyes; and that
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it was better not even to think of ascending; and if any one tried to loose another and lead him
up to the light, let them only catch the offender, and they would put him to death. No question,
he said. It is no doubt that there is an incredible burden and fear when enlightened individuals
are faced with discrimination, prejudice and death especially by those who they care for, but
now are only met with contempt and hate.
It is evident that the extreme hardship, burdens and fears that VERITAS and the process
of enlightenment creates for those who wish to live with the knowledge of the truth to
renounce and recant their ascension to enlightenment, and their acquisition of VERITAS. I
acknowledge these as extreme burdens that make it seemingly impossible to acquire and retain
enlightenment despite of these circumstances. However I must argue although there is a real
burden of knowing the truth a person cannot negate the facts of the given reality even though
there is a presence of personal conflict in ones own reality. It is this inner self that comes to
question our reality and put into perspective what is real and what is false based on the
empirical evidence at hand. We are a product of our own society by means of those agents of
socialization, regardless of our perception and level of intelligence; in essence our
comprehensive thoughts are defined by the parameters set by those very agents of
socialization which influence us and defines our moral compass to the extent of our very
existence. This also directs our intellectual build and thus creates the scope of our thoughts.
This creates groupthink, ethnocentrism and egocentric thinking.
Overall this can create conflict within ones self and establishes a schism in this
individuals ego (self) when presented with empirical facts that contradict the status quo of
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those given affairs. This can lead to dissension and disparity, but despite the entropy of
personal conflict there can arise a conviction to seek the truth and create the zeal to find the
VERITAS as so to satisfy the schism and to put into perspective the clarity in which
enlightenment brings to our consciousness. With great power comes, great responsibility, and
as such this too applies with knowledge. An enlightenment of the mind brings an education to
ones consciousness; this ultimately brings an awareness that cannot be ignored nor denied
because of the trials and tribulations of ones own ego or because it causes an inconvenience to
recognize the truth of the matters that be. The struggle we take to reach the upper world, and
the ordeal one must face to endure the hardships that temper the mind is the great forge that
shapes us and strengthens our mind, body, and spirit. Therefor with the power of
enlightenment and an endowment of intelligence; we have the responsibility to use this
knowledge to help, and benefit humankind into furthering the survival and success of our age
and the ages to come. Those who have this ought to seek out ways to help propel civilization in
an ultraistic manner; even if it means the death of an idea, place, thing or person; the needs of
the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.
In conclusion does the acquisition of knowledge create ascension to personal
enlightenment, or is it a dissension to individual despair? One of the most powerful forces in
the world is knowledge and will continue to be a major building block for the world in which we
live. It enriches, stimulates and is a joy to behold. Most of all knowledge is a double edge sword
and as mighty it can be it must be used with wisdom, courage and love. The wonders that bring
to an educated and enlightenment mind are the most precious resource we possess.
Enlightenment has brought the miracles of modern science to realization such as cures to once
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deadly diseases such as Penicillin and the creation of marvelous inventions like the computer,
however the power that created such benefits to our age has also created terrible inventions
such as weapons of mass destruction, and the same science that cures disease can help create
devastating new ones such as anthrax. We as an enlightened society ought to take great care
the power in which knowledge provides, and the application of the information we acquire
through our research. We have seen in the past that great power does corrupt absolutely and
the processes that take place to influence our society; to further our agenda, to create an
ostentatious utopia that can be the sum of the events that can path our way to our own
demise, and the doom that we are adamantly trying to avoid can the very hell we are creating
regardless of all the good intentions we create. For these reasons we must be responsible for
the power that knowledge brings, and we must take great care how to use the application of
this information we acquire otherwise we will suffer the consequences of dissension, despair
and demise.
This entire allegory, I said, you may now append, dear Glaucon, to the previous argument; the
prison-house is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me
if you interpret the journey upwards to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual world
according to my poor belief, which, at your desire, I have expressed whether rightly or wrongly God
knows. But, whether true or false, my opinion is that in the world of knowledge the idea of good
appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the
universal author of all things beautiful and right, parent of light and of the lord of light in this visible
world, and the immediate source of reason and truth in the intellectual; and that this is the power
upon which he who would act rationally, either in public or private life must have his eye fixed
~Socrates Works Cited
Muller Gilbert H. & Harvey S. Wiener. "TO THE POINT." Pearson and Longman Plato, The Allegory of the Cave: 392-395.