Reader’s Corner: Who is Plato, and why read him?

Some Globe readers know I am frequently inspired by the antics of my orange rescue cat Dexter. He demonstrates tenacity, courage and curiosity—sometimes in less than positive ways, but still leading me down trails I hadn’t thought about lately. 

Chatting with a friend about our cats’ reactions to new cave-style beds, we realized that both pets, after crawling inside, turn so they are facing the opening, even when sleeping. “I guess they read Plato,” I joked. 

“Plato?” My much-younger friend was mystified by the reference to “The Allegory of the Cave,” from Plato’s “The Republic.” The allegory describes prisoners chained in a cave, forced to face the back wall on which they can only see shadows which they believe to be reality. When one manages to escape, it takes him a while to adjust to the light and see how reality differs from his former perceptions, but having done so, he eagerly returns to his fellow prisoners, urging them to turn to the light and escape; however, they are resistant to change. 

Most scholars believe the allegory represents a necessary progression from ignorance to knowledge. Humans have an innate desire for truth, often expressed through fascination with superheroes. That desire is nothing new; what is new is the lack of education about classic literature, including Plato and other ancient philosophers, and the lower reading skill levels among high school and even college students, hindering their ability to grasp deep meaning and think critically.  

Classic literature is classic for a reason, as it shows the search for truth or the battle between good and evil. Ancient philosophers, curious about their Creator and their purpose, sought truth; while some managed to miss biblical truth in their conclusions, their desire to study was exemplary. 

The late Charlie Kirk saw an emptiness in today’s youth, and at his memorial service and in the days since, many have mentioned his devotion to learning, including classics and the Bible. His openness to engage in dialogue with those who disagreed with him is not unlike ancient thinkers and writers, who frequently dialogued as a way to dig deeper and refine their thoughts. Early American patriots, as well as the community of writers that included Emerson, Thoreau and others, did the same.

Is the timing, of reduced emphasis on reading with increased frustration and violence, a coincidence? Mulling over this topic, I pulled out Henryk Sienkiewicz’s “Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero.” I stumbled on this gem as a homeschool mom, and its lessons about the commitment of early Christians, couched in a romance, are timeless. Originally translated from Polish in 1896, it was reprinted several times including 1943, when it became unpopular in some European circles—I wonder why?—and less visible. Should we learn from that? 

Career prep curriculum is important, but not at the exclusion of the arts and literature. My dad and uncles studied manufacturing techniques to work in the aircraft industry following World War II, but in spite of a maximum eighth grade education in Ozarks country schools, they also studied the Bible and read books extensively. 

Let’s get our kids reading and teach them to dialogue constructively and ask questions; the time may come, or already be here, when we wish we had done so.