Allegory of the Cave

What is an Allegory? “A form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with meanings that lie outside of the narrative itself.” “A form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with meanings that lie outside of the narrative itself.” An allegory professes items and concepts of moral, social, religious, or political significance. An allegory professes items and concepts of moral, social, religious, or political significance.

Personifies abstract ideas Incorporates two meanings: Incorporates two meanings: A literal and symbolic meaning. A literal and symbolic meaning. 3 Alternative interpretations of the “Allegory’s symbolism” 3 Alternative interpretations of the “Allegory’s symbolism” The traditional, education-focused meaning The traditional, education-focused meaning A spiritual interpretation based upon Hindu teachings. A spiritual interpretation based upon Hindu teachings. An alternative, exploitative interpretation. An alternative, exploitative interpretation.

Book VII of The Republic A fictional dialogue between Plato’s teacher, Socrates, and Plato’s brother, Glaucon. A fictional dialogue between Plato’s teacher, Socrates, and Plato’s brother, Glaucon. Compares the effect of education and the lack of it in our nature. Compares the effect of education and the lack of it in our nature. “Ideas of forms” = struggle to see the reality beyond illusion. “Ideas of forms” = struggle to see the reality beyond illusion. Plato argues that “Forms” (or ideas), and not the world as we perceive it through our senses, are the purest kind of reality. Plato argues that “Forms” (or ideas), and not the world as we perceive it through our senses, are the purest kind of reality.

Knowledge Only knowledge manifested by the philosopher, constitutes true understanding. Using the text to justify the philosopher’s place in society.

Plato’s Cave

Socrates asks… Is it reasonable for the prisoners to… Is it reasonable for the prisoners to… “in every way believe that the truth is nothing other than the shadows of those artifacts?” “in every way believe that the truth is nothing other than the shadows of those artifacts?”

Prisoner’s complete society revolves around the shadows on the wall. Prisoner’s complete society revolves around the shadows on the wall. They would respect whichever of them could successfully anticipate which shadow would appear next, sensing that they have a better understanding of the “nature of things”

Who do we pity? Do we pity those in the cave or the one that was freed? Who is happy? Do we pity those in the cave or the one that was freed? Who is happy? Prisoner can be confused in two ways: Prisoner can be confused in two ways: When passing from light into dark and when passing from darkness into light. When passing from light into dark and when passing from darkness into light. Soul or mind will be confused: from ignorance to knowledge or from understanding back to ignorance. Soul or mind will be confused: from ignorance to knowledge or from understanding back to ignorance.

Leaning can only occur when… Freed from the chains that bind him Freed from the chains that bind him Forced to turn toward the light Forced to turn toward the light Forced to learn to accept things are they truly are rather than one perceives them to be. Forced to learn to accept things are they truly are rather than one perceives them to be. Education has a purpose and objective. Education has a purpose and objective. Only well educated, the virtuous, the philosophers to fulfill the larger purpose. Only well educated, the virtuous, the philosophers to fulfill the larger purpose.

Education and the “Allegory” Fundamental purpose of education is not to instill knowledge but to change people’s behavior and desires. Fundamental purpose of education is not to instill knowledge but to change people’s behavior and desires. By changing their behavior and desires people can reverse their tendency and preference to pursue what they incorrectly believe to be happiness. By changing their behavior and desires people can reverse their tendency and preference to pursue what they incorrectly believe to be happiness. SEEK TRUE HAPPINESS (the pursuit of virtue and reason). SEEK TRUE HAPPINESS (the pursuit of virtue and reason).

Transition in 4 stages. The prisoners have no education The prisoners have no education Their thoughts and perceptions are shaped by the “unnecessary appetitive desires” Their thoughts and perceptions are shaped by the “unnecessary appetitive desires” The prisoners mistake the images (shadows) of things as “the things themselves”. The prisoners mistake the images (shadows) of things as “the things themselves”. 2 nd stage: Once the prisoners have been appropriately educated they are free. 2 nd stage: Once the prisoners have been appropriately educated they are free.

Stage 3: Some of the prisoners are further educated in logical matters: science and math. Stage 3: Some of the prisoners are further educated in logical matters: science and math. Releases them from the realm of necessary desires leaving them limited only by spirited desires. Releases them from the realm of necessary desires leaving them limited only by spirited desires. Fail to grasp the totality and reality of their present situations. Fail to grasp the totality and reality of their present situations. Stage 4: only through education in dialectics and philosophy that come of the people are able to transcend their appetite and desires to be motivated by rational desires. Stage 4: only through education in dialectics and philosophy that come of the people are able to transcend their appetite and desires to be motivated by rational desires. Not everyone is willing or able to make all of these transitions. Not everyone is willing or able to make all of these transitions.