The “Allegory of the Cave”, by Plato represents what I believe to be an extended metaphor in which we perceive and believe what is the sum of reality. After finishing Plato I realize what he’s trying to explain. The basic instinct of what we perceive in front of us is imperfect reflections or mirror images of illusion. We must experience and see with our own eyes what is real so we don’t fear something we don’t understand. Plato explains how in a cave which people are held prisoners chained down and forced to look upon the front wall of the cave, only being able to see with a dim fire lit behind and in front of the subjects are faced with the similar understandings of life and growth of birth. These prisoners are bound to the floor unable to turn their heads due to the weight of the chains; unable to see the puppeteers casting a shadow.
The text isn’t to be misled thinking it’s the perspective of the prisoners but a conversation occurring between Socrates and Glaucon. This conversation between Socrates and Glaucon describes the cave and situation within the boundaries of the cave, explaining the prisoners are mistaken to what reality really is unable to determine truth and the actual forms of reality. These prisoners are subjected to objects and images almost controlling the environment and reality of these prisoners. This is created once the prisoner is released and is forced to look at the fire and objects he once perceived of reality are now accepted as forms of truth. I believe as my interpretation of this story is how this prisoner forced into believing what is real and what is not.
Towards the climax of the story when the prisoner returns to the cave after being forced out into the harsh sun and environment realizes the sense of good and truth of what he believes in. Upon realizing this form of goodness I believe strengthens the quality of a leader to govern the other prisoners as if it was the first steps towards society. I believe it ties into this generation with the leadership roles of any form of government and politics in which reality plays such an important part in our existence to govern people towards a righteous path of assuming your own role in life and becoming individuals to truth.
James Stevens.
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