Recognizing human enlightenment is a common theme from the ancient discipline of philosophy. The budding philosophy of nursing continues to find meaning and value in advanced education. This article offers a lesson from the philosopher Plato about not knowing what we don't know. Plato's allegory of the cave offers a unique insight for nurses hesitant to return to school for advanced degrees. Those who believe that the endeavor offers little in return may find enlightenment in this two-thousand-year-old allegory. Plato's cave both encourages the reader to consider the unseen benefits of an educational journey and provides hope about the value of the unknown.