"Love of Wisdom"

"...power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already; and that just as the eye was unable to turn from darkness to light without the whole body, so too the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned from the world of becoming into that of being, and learn by degrees to endure the sight of being, and of the brightest and best of being, or in other words, of the good." - Plato

For the most part, majority of the people enjoy speaking their minds, their opinions, and their rationale of doing things, but not many are willing to truly listen or attempt to understand another's. When it comes to many philosophers, they often attempt to understand a person's views and find a way to incorporate it into their own practices. Fairly recently, I was introduced to philosophy in an academic perspective (by "academic", I mean classroom, assignments, and what not). What people sometimes don't realize is that everyone has their own idea of philosophy and practice it everyday. After having read a couple of books, and now taking classes, I find that philosophy to some can be complicated, but at the same time rather refreshing.

There are so many philosophers from ancient eras that have come up with the most amazing and complex ideas that can be beneficial to the mind. For example, Socrates had the idea that there is no true knowledge in memorization. He felt that nothing should be written down because that in a sense was a form of memorizing. In addition to there being no true knowledge in memorizing, he felt those that "knew everything", knew absolutely nothing and those that "knew nothing" knew everything. Many can relate this to their own life and their encounter with the "know it all". The "know it all" has no sense of wanting to learn more or wanting to understand because they simply "know it all". Whereas, a person that stays quiet and listens is more likely to know more because of the fact that they listen and attempt to see others' views.

Aside from my love of philosophy of every kind, there are people that seem to still not appreciate it as I do. For those that are truly embedded in a certain religion may somehow see philosophy as a route for people to follow their own beliefs. There are also others that say philosophy seems to constantly go around in circles, and never truly come to a correct answer or definite point. But in my defense to that idea is: The only thing that I can think of that has a definite answer is Math. There is really no right answer to anything anymore. People must truly learn to understand and except other people's ways of thinking or ideas because that can allow us to truly become one as a people and one with ourselves. We have to keep in mind that there is no right answer and the more we look at things and disect one's ideas, the more knowledgeable, as a person, we become.

and I end with this quote:

"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.... I think that he would rather suffer anything than entertain these false notions and live in this miserable manner." - Plato