Essay on The Allegory of the Cave in Platos Republic

The Allegory of the Cave in Platos Republic This paper discussed The Allegory of The Cave in Platos Republic, and tries to unfold the messages Plato wishes to convey with regard to his conception of reality, knowledge and education. THE ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE Platos Allegory of the Cave is a story that conveys his theory of how we come to know, or how we attain true knowledge. It is also an introduction into his metaphysical and ethical system. In short, it is a symbolic explanation of his Theory of the Forms (or eidos). In a cavern some people experience a strange confinement, for they are chained so they can look forward only at the wall of the cave. At their backs, a fire burns which they never are able to see.†¦show more content†¦For they would be taking the terms in their language to refer to the shadows that pass before their eyes, rather than to the real things that cast the shadows. A summary interpretation of the allegorys meaning cannot be better or more concisely stated than in Socrates addition: the prison-house is the world of sight, the light of the fire is the sun, and you will not misapprehend me if you interpret the journey upward to be the ascent of the soul into the intellectual worlds So, to be very clear on one point of possible confusion, the blinding sun of the allegory is not the real sun, but a symbol for the good. The cave allegory also proves that the role of education is not to teach in the sense of feeding people information they do not have, but rather to shed light on things they already know. Education isnt the craft of putting sight into the soul. Education takes for granted that sight is there but that it isnt turned the right way or looking where it ought to look, and it tries to redirect it properly. (2) The concept of duty and service are addressed in response to the objection raised by Glaucon. While contemporary philosophers are, for the most part, self-taught, they have no obligation to serve their state; however, the guardians are nurtured and educated, that is, liberated, by the State, they are unshackled. Therefore, and if their probity is not enough to dictate for them, compulsory service to that which has made themShow MoreRelatedPlatos The Republic: Analysis of the Chapter Entitled Allegory of the Cave588 Words   |  3 Pageswork is The Republic. Out of The Republic comes a chapter entitled â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†.(â€Å"Plato†) Plato’s Allegory of the Cave describes ignorance and the process of enlightenment. The cave symbolizes a prison for the mind. Cave dwellers only know of the one reality presented in the cave, yet it is not reality at all. The cave dwellers are ignorant, knowing only one way and not trying to broaden their minds. 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