Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Keep exploring at brilliant.org/freedominthought. Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.
WISDOM WEDNESDAY. Every week, you’ll get five powerful quotes from timeless thinkers (combined with some original insight): freedominthought.com/newsletter
ABOUT THE VIDEO
_
In this video, I talk about Plato, The Republic, enlightenment, thinking, thinking clearly and better, learning, ignorance, and The Allegory of The Cave.
The word "enlightened" means to bring light to something, or in other words, to remove darkness. If you bring a lamp to a dark room, you enlighten it. And the same thing can happen to your mind. If light is brought to your inner darkness, then you become enlightened. And what's the difference between being in the light and being in the dark? In the light, you see more clearly. An enlightened person has increased perspicuity, which just means clarity of vision, as opposed to blurriness or blindness. And when one's vision is clear, they more easily reach the places they set out for. But in the dark, you may feel confused, lost, and unable to reach your goals. The word enlightenment has this mystical connotation about it, but it actually a very grounded and human thing. It’s simply unobstructed vision. Think about it like this: sometimes we’re born with, or develop, cataracts in our eyes. Our vision is obstructed. We can’t see clearly. Enlightenment is simply the removal of this obstruction. It’s a return to clear sight, and some people are just born with clear vision. So how does someone become enlightened?
OUR COURSES
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Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR MERCH
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Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR BOOKS
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Follow No One comes out December 2022. Sign up to my newsletter to receive an e-mail when it comes out and read exclusive essays from the book: bit.ly/3mu7VGM
OUR FAVOURITE TOOLS
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Shortform. The best non-fiction book summaries (unlimited access for 5 days and 20% off an annual subscription when you use my link): bit.ly/3bmSXwy
Adobe. The software I use to make my videos:
Epidemic Sound. Where I get my music: bit.ly/3FrStmh
RELATED VIDEOS
_
Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
CONNECT WITH US
_
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomintht
Twitter: twitter.com/freedomintht
CONNECT WITH ME
_
Instagram: instagram.com/justintht
Twitter: twitter.com/justintht
Personal Youtube: bit.ly/32rJ9QB
PODCAST
_
Freedom in Thought Podcast: bit.ly/3mS76YT
FURTHER READING
_
The Republic by Plato
NOTES
_
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring at brilliant.org/freedominthought. Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.
WISDOM WEDNESDAY. Every week, you’ll get five powerful quotes from timeless thinkers (combined with some original insight): freedominthought.com/newsletter
ABOUT THE VIDEO
_
In this video, I talk about Plato, The Republic, enlightenment, thinking, thinking clearly and better, learning, ignorance, and The Allegory of The Cave.
The word "enlightened" means to bring light to something, or in other words, to remove darkness. If you bring a lamp to a dark room, you enlighten it. And the same thing can happen to your mind. If light is brought to your inner darkness, then you become enlightened. And what's the difference between being in the light and being in the dark? In the light, you see more clearly. An enlightened person has increased perspicuity, which just means clarity of vision, as opposed to blurriness or blindness. And when one's vision is clear, they more easily reach the places they set out for. But in the dark, you may feel confused, lost, and unable to reach your goals. The word enlightenment has this mystical connotation about it, but it actually a very grounded and human thing. It’s simply unobstructed vision. Think about it like this: sometimes we’re born with, or develop, cataracts in our eyes. Our vision is obstructed. We can’t see clearly. Enlightenment is simply the removal of this obstruction. It’s a return to clear sight, and some people are just born with clear vision. So how does someone become enlightened?
OUR COURSES
_
Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR MERCH
_
Coming soon. Sign up to my newsletter to be notified when they release.
OUR BOOKS
_
Follow No One comes out December 2022. Sign up to my newsletter to receive an e-mail when it comes out and read exclusive essays from the book: bit.ly/3mu7VGM
OUR FAVOURITE TOOLS
_
Shortform. The best non-fiction book summaries (unlimited access for 5 days and 20% off an annual subscription when you use my link): bit.ly/3bmSXwy
Adobe. The software I use to make my videos:
Epidemic Sound. Where I get my music: bit.ly/3FrStmh
RELATED VIDEOS
_
Practical Philosophy Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5faAYlGYYoF7rgKH4oo_B81n4wE1n2xP
CONNECT WITH US
_
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomintht
Twitter: twitter.com/freedomintht
CONNECT WITH ME
_
Instagram: instagram.com/justintht
Twitter: twitter.com/justintht
Personal Youtube: bit.ly/32rJ9QB
PODCAST
_
Freedom in Thought Podcast: bit.ly/3mS76YT
FURTHER READING
_
The Republic by Plato
NOTES
_
(1) Videos are just my opinion, for entertainment and informational purposes. Just some things to think about—not advice.
(2) Some of the links in the description are affiliate links which I get a kickback from—at no extra cost to you.
