Dilemmas In Plato's Allegory Of The Cave

In Plato’s, “Allegory of the Cave”, a key theory I found was the importance of gaining knowledge. Plato uses an “allegory to illustrate the dilemma facing the psyche in the ascent to knowledge of the imperishable and unchanging forms” (Fiero, 104) Based on my research of the Republic, the allegory can reveal multiple hidden messages. Plato describes in the allegory, ordinary mortals are chained within an underground chamber, which according to Fiero, represents the psyche imprisoned within the human body. These mortals can’t look sideways, but rather only straight ahead. On top of this, they also can’t leave the cave. These prisoners are facing a cave wall that they can only see shadows reflecting from a fire of what they imagine are men. These

Plato never defines the ultimate good, except by analogy of the sun. The Ultimate Good, knowledge of which is the goal of dialectical inquiry, is the most difficult to reach (Fiero, 104) I think this shows that there is always more to learn. The prisoners in the cave believe they are hearing the sounds of the shadows, the shadows are actual people as well. These prisoners would recognize reality as nothing but shadows of those artificial objects (Fiero, 105) They have been in the cave sense they were children they have never known anything else. But once one is released and see’s the sun, “the ultimate good”, his entire world is changed. At first it is painful to his eyes because he has never been outside the cave. This pain represents the struggle, and changes we must go through in order to accept our thoughts about the way the world is. The group of people are lined up in the cave are only able to see straight ahead. In my opinion, this relates to education as well. Without an education, we can only see the world a certain way, it is not until we learn about the world and can begin to change our thoughts of the world. In addition, these people were obviously placed in this cave by someone or something. To me, this shows how without being educated we can be easily persuaded into thinking a certain way, such as the shadows being real

In regards to these studies, we have looked at how these empires have risen and fallen, different art from their times, and their influence on current day. Plato’s teachings are just another aspect to Greece and how they have further influenced our society. Plato and Socrates were influential in their time of 347 B. C. E. and continue to be in regards to the Republic. This relates to what we have studied so far in regards to literature being a piece of art. Instead of literally examining a sculpture or a painting, we are now examining a written piece. Trying to uncover the true meaning of the allegory. During one of our early class discussions, we had to answer why this class was required for general education. I believe this class is required because it is important to study the past in order to be better prepared for our future. College is meant to make you a well-rounded student. In my opinion, Plato’s allegory is also pushing this idea. He describes the importance of knowledge in order to live a fulfilled life. Different classes we may not enjoy and want to take, however, this pain we go through is all part of gaining knowledge. Eventually we will become acclimated and no longer be in pain. But instead will have a new view of the world around us and will be better educated. When the prisoner returns to the cave and tells the other prisoners the truth, they get angry with him. This shows how not