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Philosophy = The Love of Learning
Grade 8 students create their own models of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”.
Philosophy is not only for brilliant, eccentric thinkers. We human beings are naturally inquisitive creatures and cannot help wondering about the world around us and our place in it. We are also equipped with a powerful intellectual ability, which allows us to reason as well as just wonder.
Grade 8 students have been introduced to philosophical thought and discussion this term. As the Grade 8’s continue to journey through their philosophy unit, they keep adding their own personal opinion to ideologies from the past. This time they were challenged to create their own models and interpretation of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”.
In short, The Allegory of the Cave” is a take on the reality of human existence. It was used to explain Plato’s idea of forms, a topic that the Grade 8 students discussed in class. It envisions humans imprisoned in a dark cave, showing a world of knowledge limited to the shadows. In the allegory, only one prisoner is able to escape the cave; this prisoner symbolizes a person breaking away from ignorance and seeking the truth.
It was rather interesting to see what they had come up with. With each project differing from the other, we were able to see how unique the mind of each student is. Each student was asked to write their own interpretation of the allegory, and with that the students were able to form their own opinions and criticisms.
Upon further examining, this allegory can be considered a reminder for people to never settle for the unexamined life, a lesson especially important for grade 8s, as high school slowly approaches.
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School
A Private School Located in Richmond Hill, Ontario and serving the greater Toronto area since 1986.