Knowledge is a virtue, ignorance is a sin.
No one refuses to be good because he knows it. Good is the source of virtue, but the premise of good is to know what is good. Learning knowledge, only by knowing more knowledge can we know whether what we are doing is good or evil, and we can make the right choice between doing and not doing.
Socrates famously said, "Virtue is knowledge, and ignorance is the source of evil." This sentence is also the most appropriate to describe Harvard students. Ignorance is not only a shameful thing, but also a sin in the Harvard campus where experts are like Lin. In a political science class at Harvard, a professor began his lecture with such a story:
? Plato's cousin, Ge Laokong, longed to be the leader of the city-state government before he was 20 years old, and gave a very honorable and chic speech to many people. It stands to reason that it is not a bad thing for a young man to have such an ideal. Unfortunately, Ge Laokong lacks knowledge and talent in this field. Everyone in the family knows that he is ambitious, daydreaming. I'm really afraid that he will rush into the forum, make it miserable, be dragged into the water and become a laughing stock. But no one can persuade him not to do so. Socrates knew about it, and because of his relationship with Plato, he decided to enlighten the young man.
One day, Socrates saw Ge Laokong coming face to face and shouted at a distance: "Hey, Ge Laokong, I heard that you decided to be the leader of our city-state. Is this true? " In order to make Ge Laokong happy to listen to his own words, Socrates deliberately pretended to be very enthusiastic and chose the topic that Ge Laokong was most interested in.
? "yes. I really think so, Socrates. " Ge Laokong replied.
? "That's great. If there is any good thing in the world, it is another good thing. Because, if your goal can be achieved, you will get what you want; You will be able to help your friends; Make a name for your family and win glory for your motherland. Your fame will spread all over the city, and then all over Greece and even abroad. At that time, no matter where you go, you will be admired by people. "
? Sure enough, Ge Laokong was very happy after hearing this, so he stopped to talk to Socrates.
? Seeing Glaucon stay, Socrates went on to say, "Glaucon, it seems obvious that if you want people's respect, you must contribute to the polis."
? "Just like you said." Ge Laokong replied.
? So Socrates asked Ge Laokong to talk about his plans to make contributions. When Ge Laokong was thinking, Socrates asked him if he wanted the polis to get rich first, and the way to realize wealth was to increase taxes. Ge Laokong agreed. Socrates asked where the tax revenue came from. What's the total? What is the supplementary source of emptiness? Ge Laokong said that he had not considered these issues. Socrates then asked him his views on the issues that must be considered in governing the country, such as spending reduction, national defense strength, national defense strategy, food supply and so on. Lao Kong either replied that he didn't consider it, or he didn't know it, or there was no need to take care of it himself.
? Seeing Ge Laokong's predicament, Socrates further enlightened him and said: "The country and the family are harmonious. The country has a large population, and some problems are really hard to explain, but if you can help one family, you can start helping more families. Why don't you try to improve your uncle's welfare? "
? Ge Laokong said, "As long as my uncle will listen to my advice, I will definitely help them."
? Socrates smiled: "What? You can't even convince your uncle. Do you want all Athenians, including your uncle, to listen to you? Be careful, young man, you want to be famous, but don't make it counterproductive! Look at the reality, in all things, those who are respected and praised are the most knowledgeable people. On the contrary, they are the most ignorant people. If you really want to be famous and praised in the city-state, you should try your best to gain the widest knowledge about what you want to do. Because only in this way can you surpass others; When dealing with affairs, you will easily get what you expect. "
? After the professor finished the story, he told the students the profound meaning of Socrates about learning knowledge. He said that in today's society, the division of labor is so fine and people are so interdependent, so you must play every important role in society. You live by other people's actions, and every action of yours also determines other people's lives, so you should be responsible for your own actions and other people's lives. On the other hand, if your behavior is wrong, it will inevitably bring bad influence to others' lives. Therefore, mr. socrates said, "Ignorance is evil and knowledge is virtue."
Socrates believes that as long as you have the right opinions, you will take the right actions, and only those who do what they should do can become "virtuous people". We make mistakes because we don't know what is right. This is why people must keep learning. He who knows right from wrong will not do evil. Therefore, if a person wants to have morality, he must have moral knowledge, and all immoral behaviors are the result of ignorance. One must be educated. Only after receiving education can he not only be happy, but also manage his own family affairs and make others happy. Because no one refuses to do good because he knows good, doing good is the source of virtue, but the premise of doing good is to know what good is and learn knowledge. Only by knowing more knowledge can we know whether what we are doing is good or evil, and we can make the right choice whether to do it or not.
? So he often gives young people different education according to different situations. Socrates told those who have superior innate conditions and despise learning that the more talented people are, the more they should be educated. This is like a fierce and unruly thoroughbred horse. If trained from an early age, it will become the strongest and bravest swift horse. Otherwise, it will always be difficult to control. If a person has a low education level, the stronger his will, the easier it is to commit crimes. Socrates taught those who boast of their wealth that they don't need education, and wealth will satisfy their wishes and bring them happiness. Only a fool would think so.
The professor's intention in teaching Harvard students like this is to tell them that learning knowledge is the premise of ensuring correct behavior, which is also a virtue of human beings. Harvard University uses Socrates' thought to teach students to study and be a man in a down-to-earth manner, which is the best return to society. This tradition has been maintained to this day.
Harvard enlightenment
? "Knowledge is virtue." The sage said, well, we should benefit a lot from learning knowledge, not only to acquire knowledge itself, but also to acquire virtue and become noble people, while avoiding evil tendencies. This is the higher purpose of education and another necessary quality for us as social people.
End of this section ...
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