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Essay on Education

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Education

Dear College Bound Student,

You are about to embark upon an important journey. You are going to pursue a higher education. To succeed in attaining a higher education, you must first understand what is education. Everyone from ancient Greek philosophers to modern day English professors have evaluated the definition and goal of education. You must gather the knowledge of these humanitarians to understand the definition education, thereby directing you down the right path towards an enlightening college experience.

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato describes education in his “Allegory of the Cave” as a process of spiritual enlightenment. According to Plato:

If (one) is reluctantly dragged up a steep and …show more content…

(129).

Joon was different from other students who had the potential of enlightenment because he put forth the effort to understand the information he was given in his courses. When a student puts his need for entertainment and satisfaction aside, and takes the initiative to gain knowledge, he/she allows the material to form himself/herself into an intellectual. Joon is a prime example of a student who looks beyond getting a good grade, and focuses his college experience to acquire an education. If you want to take charge of your college education, you should model after Joon and pursue the knowledge presented in your classes. You must look beyond the homework and tests as grades, and perceive them as academic opportunities for you to utilize your understanding of the material. This is relative to Plato’s interpretation of education, where the prisoner made the effort to achieve knowledge, instead of returning to the cave, and attained spiritual enlightenment. It can then be said that every soul possesses the power of learning, yet the entire soul must be turned away from the world in order to see the “light”…knowledge. You have the potential for acquiring a “good” education, but you must turn and face your challenges in order to obtain knowledge in college.

Earl Shorris determined that the poor were unable to progress in

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