The week is almost up. I have started studying the two classes, 90 minutes per day. I am reviewing the readings for English and the textbook for Psychology. For now, I feel like reading the psych textbook will be more fruitful than trying to work ahead in the English class. I read Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and an article about hearts- Joyas Voladoras. I feel like Plato’s passage is relevant to schooling in that it talks about the transition from the dark cave, into the beautiful world of forms. It talks about ignorance, and how these individuals knew not any better of their surroundings, accepted such conditions as it is, and that reality itself had barely revealed itself. From Harvard, they say this tale “illustrates the concept of Idealism as it was taught in the Platonic Academy, and provides a metaphor which philosophers have used for millennia to help us overcome superficiality and materialism.” They further explain, “we all resemble captives who are chained deep within a cavern, who do not yet realize that there is more to reality than the shadows they see against a wall.”
Socrates starts the passage by saying, “allow me to draw a comparison in order to understand the effect of learning (or the lack thereof) upon our nature.” He goes on to describe the prisoners of the cave, which is their natural state from birth. I believe these Platonic dialogues with Socrates are the basis for Socratic discussions, asking leading questions that lead to an answer- but the answer that the interviewer wants- no, I don’t think I have it right. Google’s AI says the “Socratic Method is a teaching and discussion style involving continuous dialogue driven by probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and explore underlying beliefs, rather than focusing on facts.” It reminds me of my father’s questions that were disguised as orders.
Critical thinking. That is what I must work on. There is some kind of review system I could apply to my life, to look at my current strengths and weaknesses to see how I can progress as a critical thinker- I forget what it’s called. After a quick Google search, I found the personal S.W.O.T. system analysis. First, you identify the objective of the analysis- be it career, personal, etc. Second, you identify your strengths- positive personal qualities, skills, and abilities. This part has always been hard for me as I have had a low self-worth for the majority of my life. I need to work on this.
Today will prepare me for tomorrow. The only person I compare myself with at this time is who I was yesterday. I will be better.
bumisdum.com 