Precis: The Forest and the Trees

Plato's overall argument seems to be that in order to have a proper education, in order to see the world as it truly is, people must first understand issues on multiple layers. One must be able to see the stars, recognize their beauty, and understand the intricate mathematics that make them as beautiful as they are. One must see the simplicity of the world while seeing the complexity of it. Conversely, a person who only thinks of music as a series of tones, vibrations, and notes has lost the ability to understand the overall piece as a work of art. Plato argues that, to paraphrase a cliche, a truly educated and wise man should be able to see the forest and the trees all at once. This idea is one that is universal- a man who wants to lead many people must see from many points of view to determine what is best.