Plato's "Cave of Allegory" and the movie "They Live." Is it a good metaphor of our times?

Question

Do we have to twist people's necks to see the truth (light) as Plato illustrated in his "cave of allegory?" Did this neck twisting cost the lives of 3000 civilians, 343 firefighters and 24 cops? Is not John Carpenter's movie "They Live" another good example of the same allegory, especially concerning 9/11? Remember the scene where Roddy Piper has to beat Keith David in order for him to put the glasses on? Piper was trying to get David to see the reality instead of the shadows (illusion) on the cave's wall. Is this metaphor apropos with the reality facing us today versus the shadows of illusion? Do you see shadows? Or, do you see reality respective of 9/11?! Are we the reality? Or, is Osama the illusion?

Thank you Bradzb. The glasses could also mean that the JFK plotters were directed by others than themselves? It appears that another Orwellian plot was manufactured. Are we really safer today versus 30 years ago when we were equally hated by radical Islam? Why now? Do we need to put the glasses on?!

Thank you G. For the record. The elected, fearful and incompetent "government" did not do the 9/11 "Inside Job!" Then who? The unelected, second and third tiered "permanent" government better known as the "satellite" or "shadow" government which revolves between multinational corporations and "government." It is the coat on the chair with the light off that we should be concerned with. We need to shed some of Plato's light on the real reality. Remember what Senator Inoyue (D) from Hawaii said during the Iran/Contra Hearings: "...a shadowy government with its own airforce, its own navy, its own fund raising mechanism, and the ability to pursue its own ideas of the national interest free from all checks and balances and free from the law itself."

Thank you Alex. Just don't stick the bubblegum under the desk.

Thank you MckenzieCalhoun. As far as being vague, what could be more clearer than understanding shadows versus reality. It is up to you to define Plato's metaphor not just against Islam, but for Christianity and all religions. As for we being on the side of rightousness opposing murder and the subversion of democracies, think again. Remember, our nation dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese civilian population. We have expended depleted uranium on the Iraqi people and elsewhere. Have we not spread Democracy to the nations of the world? No where in our Constitution did our founding fathers advocate Democracy. They found this form of government to be of the worst type. Democracy by definition means "majority rules" or "mob rule." We were founded as a Confederated Republic, not a Democracy. There is nothing "vague" about this. Are we being deceived by the shadows that dance on the cave's walls? Or, are we in the cave instead of Osama Bin Laden?!

Thank you Harry & ErvinParker. Two very good answers. To see Plato's light, we have to be "humble" enough to step outside the cave and see the real light. Humility is the first step in putting on the glasses of truth. Keep looking and let's get the others out of the cave.

Answer 1

Ignorance is bliss. Reminds me of that old saying regarding the rationalization as to why people didn't say anything about the atrocities of the Nazi's till there was no one left and then they came for them.

Answer 2

I see a reality of more security then we have had before, more plots have been stopped. The latest would be the JFK Airport attempt. But most people don't have the glasses on to recognize these things. They go through life listening to what they hear on TV at night and only hear the bad thing in the world and never the good.

Answer 3

Yes, but not in the way you connect it. With that vague an allusion you could connect it to anything.

How about, "Is the foolish way that people ignore the threat that Islamic goals of world domination with their takeover of S.E. Asian and African countries, overturning democracies and other governments, mass slaughters of people of other religions, terrorism, cheering in the streets in the thousands similar to Plato's allegory about the cave? What would it take for them to turn and realize that Islam isn't the soft, gentle shadow in front of them, that that is themselves in outline, and that Islam is the fire burning up their backsides!"

I know, I went outside the allegory, but you really need to be more specific. That was rather vague and not well supported.

As my family fled Islam in the 1950s (we've been expecting this war for decades), I find the mindset of people who haven't even read the Quran ("all religions are equal and good") to be very foolish.

Answer 4

"Sailing on Wings".... I cannot help but think that the message for me.. or at least what I read into this beautiful piece of poetry.. is... When all seems lost.. follow your heart (bird) to find your "home".. If you search within your heart, no raging storm can keep you lost forever. There have been times I have felt that I can no longer weather the storm, perhaps of a different kind from which you write, but nevertheless.. I follow the beautiful bird within and "Sail upon my own wings" Beautiful ((((Bri)))) (-:

Answer 5

I think they are both good metaphors for our culture. I'm honestly not sure of what I see half the time. Is it real, or is it an illusion? Are people honest, or have we all become such good liars that truth has disappeared all together? I don't know all the answers, but at least I'm questioning the answers that are given to me.

Answer 6

well... I don't know about what your saying exactly... I'm don't think the government did 9-11...

sometimes there are other things going on in the world... and sometimes it's just your coat on a chair, when you turn on your light at night to see if that's a person in your bedroom...

but "They Live" is a quirky movie... "I came here to kick *ss and chew bubble gum... and I'm all out of bubble gum"

Answer 7

All I know is that I'm here to chew bubblegum and kick a**. And I'm all out of bubblegum.

Curse you, g, you beat me to it!