Chasing Shadows: Why We Must Leave Atlantis to the Philosophers
For over two thousand years, humanity has been captivated by the legend of Atlantis—a magnificent, advanced civilization that supposedly vanished beneath the waves in a single day and night of catastrophe. From television documentaries to high-budget movies, the quest to find this lost empire remains a staple of popular culture. Every few years, a new explorer claims to have found evidence of the city off the coast of Spain, in the Mediterranean, or even beneath the ice of Antarctica. However, as we face an era of limited scientific funding and unprecedented environmental crises, we must ask ourselves a critical question: should we spend precious scientific resources searching for a legendary city, or should we accept Atlantis for what it truly is—a philosophical fable? The answer is clear. Modern scientific funds must not be wasted chasing shadows; instead, they should be directed toward real, verifiable marine science and archaeology.
- Allegory:
- A story or poem that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden moral, political, or spiritual meaning.
- Hubristic:
- Excessively proud, arrogant, or self-confident.
- Opportunity cost:
- The loss of potential gain or benefits from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.
- Plate tectonics:
- The scientific theory explaining the movement of the massive tectonic plates that make up the Earth's outer shell.
- catastrophe:
- A sudden, widespread disaster that causes great damage or destruction.
- verifiable:
- Able to be tested, confirmed, or proven to be true using evidence.
- tangible:
- Real, definite, and able to be touched or experienced directly rather than imaginary.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1According to the author, who is the sole source of the Atlantis legend?
- 2In which two specific dialogues did the Greek philosopher Plato write about Atlantis?
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About this opinion piece passage for Middle School
“Chasing Shadows: Why We Must Leave Atlantis to the Philosophers” is a opinion piece reading passage about Scientific Funding and Historical Mythology, written for Middle School. It takes about 4 minutes to read (646 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.