First read the passage below, excerpted from Plato's dialogue Meno. How do you understand Socrates' theory of anamnesis?
Socrates
The soul of man is immortal, and at one time comes to an end, which is called dying, and at another is born again, but never perishes...
Seeing then that the soul is immortal and has been born many times, and has beheld all things both in this world and in the nether realms, she has acquired knowledge of all and everything; so that it is no wonder that she should be able to recollect all that she knew before about virtue and other things.
Next, read the Talmud's narrative of the fetus. How does the Talmud understand the process of learning? Compare and contrast with Plato.
Talmud, Tractate Nidda, 30b
Rabbi Simlai taught: What does a fetus resemble when it is in the bowels of its mother? Folded writing tablets... It is taught all the Torah from beginning to end. As soon as it sees the light an angel approaches, slaps it on its mouth and causes it to forget all the Torah completely, as it is said, "Sin crouches at the door." It does not emerge from there before it is made to take an oath. What is the nature of the oath that it is made to take? "Be righteous, and be never wicked... Always bear in mind that the Holy One, blessed be He, is pure, that his ministers are pure and that the soul which He gave you is pure."
Identify at least one take-home for your teaching and/or personal growth in the coming year.