Therefore, it can be said that the Allegory of the Cave will reflect a certain characteristic of humans in terms of the behavior they manifest and the values they possess. The Allegory of the Cave is a tale which narrates the story of prisoners chained in a dark den, often portrayed as the cave, and showed how those who are chained and stuck in that cave would only see their shadows and those that pass by behind them, which are actually shadows made and shadows of the prisoners.
That which created the shadow is the opening of the cave that faced the light. For they are unchained, they could never see what was going on behind and they were deprived of the chance to turn around and have a look. The prisoners in the cave represent the people, in general. More so, the shadows that were created were perceived by the prisoners as their reality for they are bound to look at one, and only one, direction because of the chains. Their reality is something that is impaired for they never knew what else was there beyond the shadows and there was no way they could ever find out in their situation.
For them, it was already real because it is all they could ever see. Socrates sees similarities with people and the prisoners in the cave. The fact that the prisoners could see nothing but shadows implies something important with respect to the human perception of reality around them.
Those which we consider as realities from the very start may not actually be the reality that exists in his world for we might have a vision limited by the chains that bind us.
Our realities do no go beyond what is reflected by the material and concrete things in this world and the lack of will to look otherwise will leave us with that very same reality. Also, it will impair our notion of Goodness and also, the terms we ascribe to the things we see as reality are not exactly terms for the things that exist but merely, things that live in our mind.
The shadows seen by the prisoners depict this greatly because the prisoners can see things, may it be real or unreal, believe them even without further knowledge about the shadows, and would call them reality even though these shadows can only be held on to through their minds. It is said that for the people to see the reality, there is a need to break free from the chains and go out of the cave and onto the light and bright part outside the cave. If the prisoner perceives the shadows as reality and accepts it as it is, then he will remain that way forever.
Just like us, if we remain in our reality and be contented with that which is offered to us, then we will be trapped in a reality which is untrue and unyielding. However, if one would dare to ask what is there beyond what is deemed to be the reality in this world, then it would be the start of a process that would break the chain. It is a long and crucial process but it can be done.
Once we would have the courage to break away from the chains, we would also have the chance to turn around and look at the source of shadows. It is then that Socrates said that we would be able to see the sources of the shadow and will proceed to explore the realities that really is. However, it is to be noted that this process is painful and can either push persons back into believing the realities they perceive before the breaking of the chains or will wander around until they could adjust to the world outside the cave.
They are all content with this knowledge and nothing changes until one of the prisoners is set free. He continues learning about this new reality until he is fully convinced.
With this thought in his head he heads back to the cave. With that the enlightened one left, knowing that his companions were lost in blissful ignorance, and he could do nothing to convince them for fear of death. Home Papers Allegory of the Cave Summary. This is just a sample. Gilgamesh ends up winning after and epic fight around the city. However rather than kill Enkidu Gilgamesh decides to spare his life and the two become great lovers then on after conquering many places.
Ishtar who falls in love with Gilgamesh only to find rejection is then summoned by the gods to curse Enkidu with a deadly disease. Enkidu dies regardless of how hard Gilgamesh tried to save his lover. Gilgamesh stunned and shocked by his death decides that there must be more to life and sets off on a quest to find eternal life. It another life changing event that triggers an emotion inside the brain that fuels the desire to explore and advance their knowledge of truth. Every prisoner responds to a certain call from within, and it is this which makes them question themselves and the surroundings around them.
However in order to understand truth it is essential to look at what other philosophers thought of this much debated subject. Frederick Nietzsche much considered himself an adversary to Plato and his take on truth is highlighted ones will for power. He is more interested in the will to power rather than truth itself as he believes truth is more insignificant compared to the desires that a human being craves.
Free Essay: Marlo Diorio Dr. Mishra – College Writing I “Allegory of the Cave” “Allegory of the Cave”, written by Plato, is story that contrasts the.
Plato-The Allegory of the Cave In this essay I will discuss Plato's Allegory of the Cave and how it expresses his philosophical view on reality versus belief and the process someone has to undergo to achieve enlightenment. Plato lived B.C his mentor was Socrates, Plato was a writer a.
Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" - Analysis and Summary The "Allegory of the Cave" by Plato represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in which we perceive and believe in what is reality. Read this essay on Allegory of the Cave Summary. Come browse our large digital warehouse of free sample essays. Get the knowledge you need in order to pass your classes and more. Only at considerableaps.tk".
- The Allegory of the Cave by Plato "The Allegory of the Cave," by Plato, explains that people experience emotional and intellectual revelations throughout different stages in their lives. This excerpt, from his dialogue The Republic, is a conversation between a philosopher and his pupil. Video: The Allegory of the Cave by Plato: Summary, Analysis & Explanation Plato's allegory of the cave is one of the best-known, most insightful attempts to explain the nature of reality.