Recollection is not merely bringing to mind an intellectual concept once forgotten. For Plato, the idea is far more powerful. As a human is helped to recall, he passes through stages of thought and experience. he cannot rationally justify his satisfaction every step on the way. The would-be philosopher may make use of likely stories…, dialectic, and hypothesis to stimulate his memory. Once the memory is triggered, it seizes his mind, and his is changed. He can no longer doubt the truth of what he has remembered. He also understands the reasons for each step in the rational journey that led him to the recollection. Further memories of goodness, truth, and beauty are more likely. In fact, correctly used this one truth can be the key to unlock every important idea that he has forgotten.
This recollection is the most real experience a human being can have. It will seize every part of his being. Love for goodness drives the true philosopher to this recollection of truth. Once he finds it, this addiction to the overwhelming beauty of truth and goodness will keep him pursuing it. He will feel it emotionally and physically. Plato compares this experience to sex, to being dazzled by a great light, and to the most beautiful music that can be imagined. The true philosopher is the person who has had the mental, emotional, and gut level experience of truth. There is no need to encourage such a philosopher to continue his studies. The difficulty will be in getting him to do anything else.
AEVIA Reveals the Source