46It is not clear how being obedient to the words of Er’s experience will save us from having to drink of the waters of the river of Forgetfulness. Presumably all knowledge of the truth, the object of philosophy, will make us clever enough. Key to this would be knowing our genius, i.e., our self, destiny, mission, and purpose, and making choices that direct our life upward, resulting in an increased awareness and an enlightened perspective.