What Does It Mean To Be Enlightened?

Wallace states that it really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. Wallace was basically saying yes it’s important to gain knowledge, but how you apply the knowledge is equally important. He also emphasizes how we miss certain valuable things that are right in front of us because we are looking at what we think is obvious. It’s almost like the old saying “you can’t see the forest for the trees.” I think sometimes we can become so educated that we are just dumb.

En·light·en·ment noun 1. the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened. 2. the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine.

The Truth of Enlightenment In Learning to Read by Frederick Douglass, he states that, “Learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing” (230). The connotation of the word curse gives people the feeling that reading can torment them and never leave them alone. For such a strong word to be utilized, it seems as if knowledge can physically and emotionally bring pain to people that did not expect its effects. Learning how to read is a form of enlightenment that pushes people toward a valuable education and consideration of the world around them.

Prior to this age, intellectual ability was not tested adequately, if it was really challenged at all. Today human beings are able to make something of their self no matter their social class, hard work can help anyone achieve what they want. Shown in this idea enlightenment changed the world, “Through laziness and cowardice a large part of mankind, even after nature has freed them from alien guidance, gladly remain immature” (Document A). In this excerpt it explains not only how if humans would just grow the courage to stand up and become mature, everyone would be enlightened. Immanuel Kant preached these ideals to the world, and they continue to prosper throughout today.

Enlightenment is usually achieved through the hardest times in our lives, times where we struggle the most. Whether these struggles be emotionally like in Little Miss Sunshine where the family deals with hardships such as trying to join to together despite all of the curveballs thrown in by life. Also they can be physically as in Snowpiecer where the struggles is trying to fight their way to a better life despite the death toll and misery. Through these journeys they become enlightened in their respective lives of how life is and how to survive. In life we can and will be thrown into situations that become difficult for us to understand at the time, such as maybe the loss of a family member that was we may have been very close to in life

If an effort to learn from their surroundings rather than just exist in them is made, this person could learn an exponential amount just from their own backyard. However this can only be achieved if there is a noticeable attempt to explore the areas in which they live. (Page 52) “The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who will seek them.” There are hidden meanings and discoveries that can be made if the effort to find them is made.

The Enlightenment began with the English philosopher John Locke. It was an era of spreading faith in reason, in reason, and in universal rights and laws (The Enlightenment in Europe). The ideas that were embodied by Enlightenment were life, liberty, and property. It also led to the idea of natural right. The Enlightenment influenced the way people finally realized that divine right wasn’t right and start to doubt it.

I had also faced similar thoughts previously about learning. I had a cousin that had developed a possible life threatening disease, one that had no cure. I tried to research his problem extensively, reading

Education, a life-altering event that involves the development of being more open- minded. When one’s horizons expand they begin to have a shift of perception. The process of becoming knowledgeable through education can differ from the individual or situation. It can also have one acquire gratitude for their change of insight. Two passages, “Learning to Read” by Malcom X and “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato, each contain an individual who goes through the path of gaining wisdom.

This is what being a student is, learning or constantly wanting to learn different things in your life (Caroline Myss). As once said by Martha Graham, “There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” Every experience is a learning experience and you gain something from it whether its

The Brahman is unsatisfied in his knowledge and although however hard he seeks, cannot find the enlightenment he desires. Additionally, the Brahman is perplexed in how a simpleton woman who does not seek truth or knowledge, rather relies on religious doctrine, is perfectly happy in her ignorance of things. The Brahman goes on to explain to Voltaire that even though he could simply be happy by not acquiring and striving for enlightenment, he does not wish this (Voltaire, . , Woolf, n.d.). Voltaire proposes this question to other Philosopher's and each reach the same understanding that once you enter into the world of reason, there appears no end in sight, but however that this struggle is still better than being blissfully

His student Plato’s story, “The Cave,” emphasizes that humans may independently take the intellectual journey to enlightenment, reach the Realm of Perfect Forms, and discover truth for themselves. Both teacher and student insisted that Man himself had to reach truth, as it is not received from a higher

Enlightenment itself is a concept that cultures around the world believe in and how people can master this concept. Enlightenment is an elevated understanding of life and learning how one may remove any negativity from their life. Societies view enlightenment as important because it helps people understand any and all forms of negativity never promote happiness and prosperity. One piece of literature that vividly shows this concept is Plato’s, “Allegory of the Cave.” Plato highlights how Socrates converses with Glaucon about how the man who reaches the light at the end of the cave would be free from negativity; the man discovers the truth which leads him to enlightenment.

Education is gained and developed by one's life and values. Education is more than just reading textbooks, going to class, and repeating that cycle. Education is life and knowledge. People can gain education through experiences in the real world. Tara Westover, the author of the book Educated, recounts her life's journey from childhood to the present, in doing so she reinforces the theme that education is the key to change.

We start our lives by molding our minds with the help of scholars along with childhood authors. Our minds grow through interactions and new experiences helping us with the basics. As in the walking, babbling that fills the first two to three years before the real learning begins. I feel our real development becomes prevalent when our eyes scan the pages of our first image filled book. As we slowly grow to learn new words, and have more experiences through the pages, our minds expand.