Can anyone understand Plato's Allegory of Cave???? Please Help me!!?

Question

Has anyone read the Plato's Allegory of Cave before? I got an assignment which is write a journal after reading this, but I really did not understand what it is talking about. Can anyone tell me something about it?
Thanks.

Answer 1

S :) ] >:) ^^^ ==== ~~@--~~ @-- O

Write those above symbols on a paper from left to right. Here's what they mean:
S Shadows on wall that look like puffballs on sticks.
:) Happy fool watching shadows.
] Barrier behind happy fool.
>:) Mischievous overseer holding figures resembling trees over the top of barrier.
^^^ Fire casting shadows of figures onto the wall for happy fool to see.
===== Long tunnel leading out of the cave.
~~@--~~ Reflection of tree in a body of water.
@-- Tree outside of cave.
O Sun in the distant sky.

Now we read it left to right. The shadows are perceived reality (often referred to as 'truth'). The happy fool, tied to a chair, sees only this from the time they are born. It is all they know. They do not know of the figure behind the barrier. They do not know of the barrier. One day the happy fool is released from the chair and is free to roam about. Happy fool turns behind him and sees the barrier. Upon investigation, happy fool sees the figures and fire that created the shadows on the wall, and realizes that what was once reality is no longer so. The 'truth,' so the fool discovers, is nothing more than shadows of cut-out figures. These cut-out figures are the new 'truth.' The happy fool continues down the tunnel, intrigued by the truth and knowledge just discovered, hoping to find another larger truth. At the mouth of the cave, the fool sees all the light and goodies outside.
The fool has a few choices. They can go in search of the next truth, return to play with cut-out figures, return to the chairs and resume looking at shadows, or return to help other happy fools realize the greater truth.
If they search for more truth, they will leave the cave behind. I don't believe Plato allowed them to return after leaving, but I could be wrong on that. Either way, the next truth would be reflections in a body of water. They look like the shadows and cut-outs, but are colorful and more realistic. Beyond this truth is a greater truth: an actual tree standing by the water. This tree looks like the reflection and cut outs and shadows. It is real. But what if there is a greater truth? Beyond the tree is light: the sun. The source of all light. The greatest Truth of all. This is what philosophers should try to attain. This is the greatest Truth and greatest good.
If they return to the cave, they are not allowed to leave again (Plato may have even limited them even more, saying that they could only return to the chairs, not play with cut-outs; again, I could be wrong on this aspect). No matter what, a return to the cave requires the fool to ignore the greater truths outside. It is not respectable. Plato wanted people to seek the truth, not ignore its existence.
There are many ways to use the allegory, but this is how it is read. From here, various questions can be asked, and various adjustments can be made. There is an updated version that involves a motion picture camera, but I'm not a fan of it.
Some questions posed: is it best to seek the ultimate truth? Is it tolerable to live a life of ignorance? If the fools in chairs are happy, is it the philosopher's job to inform them of the truth? Is it wrong to disturb their happiness? Is all truth good? Is any truth good? Is the ultimate Truth good?
Think of more questions that result, and try to answer them using the allegory. Think of adjustments that can be made. Good luck and rock the philosophy!

Answer 2

Okay, remember, Plato is arguing that most people are idiots and that only the smartest should rule us.

He is saying a little bit of enlightenment to a starved brain can seem like a lot, but we still don't have the "full" light. Not only do most of us not see the "full" light, but we also can't handle it.

So we have to specially train people to study the light while the rest of us just rely on their interpretation of truth and beauty.

Answer 3

It's been yrs, I think it's about how reality is something that is perceived and can be "constructed." The prisoners are made to think a certain way. Their reality has been built for them. It's like they are watching a movie. The images they see is their world. Paste this link to the browser. In the future, go to wikipedia and they will probably have the answer. Hope it helps.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

Answer 4

Just watch out if a train dissapears into it and something about cigars and zepplins start start appearing in your journal entries. That means you have moved on to another world. Sorry, I'm being flip.

Answer 5

We really don't know what we're looking at. We think we know, but we don't.

We are not AWARE enough yet to understand things that are going on around us; however, we THINK we know and understand things.

I didn't try on purpose to make that as clear as mud, but it IS difficult to put in words.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Here's a clue: think "The Matrix." What you see and perceive isn't necessarily reality.