Class Notes from February 5, 2008

Posted by Lane Wallace and Jose Figuero

Final Paper - Information now on Livetext.

2 Elements of Plato's "The Republic"

I. The Cave (most influential paragraph in Western Civilization)

-At the deepest part of the cave, there are people chained who are only able to look at the back of the cave.

-A wall divides these people from another group of people with sticks carrying shadow puppets.

-There is fire behind this second group of people with sticks.

-The sticks and the fire are used to create shadows and a fake reality for those chained at the deepest part of the cave. These chained people represent us and we believe that these shadows are real or (All that is real). We do not know our limits because of this.

-Plato's goal is to get us from the depths fo the cave to the outside of the cave.

- Reason is what eventually gets us out of the cave and into the Sun.

- It takes us a while to realize or reason that we are being manipulated but eventually we do and we begin to get out of the cave. The fire and the sun will blind us at first but our eyes soon adjust and we can see the good.

- The Sun is what gives light to everything and allows us to see the world as it is: What is TRUE, REAL, and GOOD. Plato has a hierarchy of forms with the Sun (The form of the Good) illuminating everything below it and making it intelligible or possible.

- Reason also is what makes us go back in the cave to rescue others who are still chained up. We see this as an obligation, but they will laugh at us because they will not believe that our findings are real. Through reason, we can leave the physical reason behind and focus on the metaphysical, the essence, fundamentals. All physical things eventually cease to be.

-As teachers, we are going back in the cave to free students from the chains and the cave as a whole and bringing them out to the light.

II. 3 parts of the soul

1. Reason - The highest and noblest part of the soul but we do not use it very often.

2. Passion or Spirit - enthusiasm, courage, etc...

3. Appetite - desires and wants, base part of the soul.

- Metaphor of The Chariot - Reason Drives Passion and Appetite.

Bloom and Plato

-Bloom is obviously a philosopher and feeds on Plato (The Republic)

-Bloom believes in nature a great deal, the nature of "things", the proper order of the world. Very largely based in Plato's philosophies. The laws and categories of how things truly operate. Contrasts nature (outside of the cave) to culture (inside of the cave). Emphasizing nature, demonstrates his Platonic ideology.

-Liberation in education mentioned by Bloom represents the cave.

Reading Discussion

-Argument against relativism (Bloom is concerned about openness and the rejection of traditional views without any right or wrong)

-Over openness can create too closed subjects. Ex: Religion (too open and tolerant that we are unable to discuss it.

-Bloom is uncomfortable with our mentality and attitude (We are tolerant of everyone except for the people who think they are right.

-Can't seriously investigate ideas because we can't talk about them.

-Student Comment - Contradiction (Relativity is absolute which means that there is no relativity).

-ethnocentrism- Essential for preservation on one's culture. (Presumption about the way of life that is best). We understand other cultures in terms of our own and ethnocentrism is almost unavoidable in some ways.

-Bloom may not consider different types of ethnocentrism (Good teachers take students out of their ethnocentrism and expose them to other points of views and other cultures).

-Bloom gives reasons to his thoughts - Our society has changed and what was important has changed. There is nothing that all of us have in common now. Bloom's base is "the best". It is important to attempt to have a common cultural base that all of the students should have available to them.

Dr. Pope's Question - Are there things that every American student should know?

Students' answers:

1. American History

2. World History

3. Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

4. Governmental structure

5. Current events

6. Certain set of morals

7. Socially accepted behaviors

8. Civic participation

9. Religion

Bloom's answer: Culture is less important than nature (all student answers were based on culture).

-Every Student should be able to articulate and defend a version of a good life. This requires a certain level of intolerance and ethnocentrism.

- Bloom looks down on those who do not make an opinion and defend it.

Bloom on Books

-Bloom dismisses books that are not "Classic Books".

-Bloom believes that the classic books are better than other books because their content is better.

-Today, we are too engaged in entertainment.

-Relativism is also a part of non classic literature.

-see page 62-63.

Bloom on Music

-Music should harness the passion to reason, rock simply feeds the appetite.

-Music constructs the chariot between reason and passion.

-see pg 75 of book.

Final Class Thoghts

- Student thought-Americans are settling for the light bulb and not pursuing the sun.(Not all light

bulbs are equal).

-Increase in apathy towards learning but not because of relativism

Some reasons:

-Fear of aloneness

-Desire for approval

- Bloom wants for students to think long and hard about who they are and how they relate to others.

Challenge ourselves and others. Good teachers cause us to explore what is essential.

- Bloom is very much a conservative but also differentiates himself in that he is against education serving market interest. School should not be market oriented.

Topics to be discussed next class period

1. Role of Religion

2. Travel and experiencing of other cultures

3. Who is to say what is the good life?