Francesca Izon September 10, 2019

Philo 11.05 F

Reflection Paper

To describe my hoped future, which would ideally happen 5-10 years from now involves
certain facets. The first one would be in terms of my career, what I have attained in terms
of academics, as well as the field of work I am specializing in. Second would be the life
kind of life I am living in, did I rise from my current economic and social status or did I
falter. Third, would be the situation of society at that point, and has it changed to the ideal
society I had in mind.

Now, describing this dream life of mine, it would probably entail me having attained my
two degrees in Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, then having a Master’s
degree for the latter course. My current dream career would be working in a high-paying
company that not only pays high but also aims to help the community and the environment.
As for my living situation, I imagine this future to be a comfortable one where I get to
adequately provide for my family, and still be able to have time and funds to help other
people as well. As for the third aspect, I imagine this future to be one where society has
eradicated discrimination, greed, injustice, and oppression, and has opened more room
for equality, generosity, justice and goodness.

If this dream were to transform into a deep slumber having a gadfly wake me up from this
dream would mean that I would be faced by the harsh reality that things don’t always go
the way as planned. Also, I would see that life can sometimes be unfair because your
standing in society may be dictated by your origin’s past generations. Moreover, it would
open my eyes to the realization that society is not perfect, and it would take years,
possibly even past my generation, before it would mold into the ideal society in mind.

The presence of a gadfly would surely shred the truth on me and would likely lead to the
demise of my ideal future. The dream would be shattered and I would be brought back to
reality. In the society we live in, where it would be difficult to attain the dreams I want to
achieve. More so, life would be filled with challenges with may evoke negative emotions
in me. Despite this, I would want the gadfly to still wake me up from my deep slumber
Francesca Izon September 10, 2019
Philo 11.05 F

because living in a dream like the one I have mentioned may leave me to be complacent
and ignorant of the things around me.1 Although living in my ideal dream seems like a
good idea, this kind of life would possibly isolate me from the rest of society. It may lead
me to deviate from what I am supposed to do as part of it. I see the gadfly as an essential
part as well as a blessing in a person’s life. This is because having a gadfly that would
constantly criticize, provoke, and give me ideas would allow me to be aware and critical
of the environment I am in.2 More so, the presence of a social gadfly would help me to
become better person by allowing me to examine my own life as well as how I live it. This
form of criticism from a gadfly would also help me to be more active in my society. In such
a way that I can be more vocal and critical about social issues, and I can take part in
solving them in order to attain a better society. A society which can potentially be close
to that of my dream.

Made by: Francesca Izon

Bibliography:
-In Platos Apology of Socrates, What Is the Gadfly Metaphor?” In Plato's Apology of
Socrates, what is the gadfly metaphor? Quora . Accessed September 9, 2019.
https://www.quora.com/In-Platos-Apology-of--Socrates-what-is-the-gadfly-
metaphor.“How Socrates Acts As A Gadfly Philosophy Essay.” UKEssays.com. Accessed
September 9, 2019. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/how-socrates-acts-as-a-
gadfly-philosophy-essay.php.
-Plato, and Allan Bloom. 1968. The Republic. New York: Basic Books.

1
In Platos Apology of Socrates, What Is the Gadfly Metaphor?” In Plato's Apology of Socrates, what is the
gadfly metaphor? Quora . Accessed September 9, 2019. https://www.quora.com/In-Platos-Apology-of-
Socrates-what-is-the-gadfly-metaphor.
2 “How Socrates Acts As A Gadfly Philosophy Essay.” UKEssays.com. Accessed September 9, 2019.
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/how-socrates-acts-as-a-gadfly-philosophy-essay.php.