Light, which allows us to find our way among darkness, has always been perceived as a metaphor of progression toward the achievement of knowledge.

The Greek philosopher Diogenes used to stroll about in full daylight carrying a lamp; if someone asked him what he was doing, he answered “ I’m simply looking for a human being” meaning he was searching the positivity in mankind.

The cultural, philosophical and scientific movement which characterized Western society in 18th century is not casually defined as “Age of Enlightenment”.

Knowledge is symbolically described as a lamp, the guiding light of scientific inquiry in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom.

Coming to less elevated concepts, a little light is what allows us to see around and to resize what might scare us, if still hidden in the shadows.

A reliable, but not too overwhelming light help us to decided what direction we have to take and to see what we have to face , it’s useful and, as a consequence, comforting.

Nevertheless we have always to keep in mind that when something is good, not necessarily an overdose of it can be better.

I think it can be a valid principle also for the light.
We cannot stare directly at the sun and we cannot claim to get an immediate, total and full knowledge by a sudden powerful light which strikes us as a thunderbolt of pure revelation, because in all cases it would not depend on our efforts.

I’m thinking now, I don’t know why (or maybe I know...) of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.
It’s always a matter of light and knowledge, but it’s also another story, maybe next time...