Plato's Allegory Of The Cave In The Republic

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Plato wrote “Allegory of the Cave” in The Republic. This is a story about the growth of an individual from ignorance into an educated leadership role. Plato describes a cave in which there are several prisoners. They are chained at the neck, arms, and legs. They cannot see behind them or even to the side of them to glance at one another. Farther up behind these prisoners is a fire burning. Between this fire and the prisoners is a roadway with a parapet or screen built along it. Behind this screen are people holding puppets representing actual objects, animals, or people. They cast shadows as they walk by. These shadows are the only things seen by the prisoners since early childhood. They believe these to be real. Then Plato supposes what