The Allegory of the Cave - Book Report/Review Example

The Allegory of the Cave The Allegory of the cave is among renowned works of Plato found in the book d The Republic.It focuses on human life on earth and the way to make it better by being enlightened through recognition of existence of realm of Forms. The work focuses on pursuit of education and the desire for the same through a fictional dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon; Plato’s brother. Plato, through Socrates considers uneducated people as prisoners, who have spent their entire lives chained in a cave and, are thus unable to turn their heads (Plato 450). Therefore, the prisoners can only see the blank wall of the cave. They stare at shadows displayed on the wall as a result of people carrying objects and passing in facade of a fire burning at their back (Plato 450). This makes them start designating names to the shadows projected and which to them, appear as reality. Therefore, Plato through Socrates, believes that a philosopher is like a prisoner released from the cave and who later realizes that the shadows he has all along been seeing are far from reality. Thus, a philosopher should always strive to achieve education and enlightenment which will assist him into becoming an intellectual. Plato believes that an intellectual world contains knowledge which, is combined with the notion of good (Plato 453). However, an effort is required for one to see and experience the notion of good which, incorporates all that is beautiful, bears light for the world, as well as, acts as source of reason and truth among intellectuals. Plato’s analogy of the cave has some strengths and weaknesses. To begin with strengths, Plato’s analogy helps us in understanding the existence of imperfections in the world. By using the analogy of the prison as the world of sight while the fire serves as the sun, Plato elucidates that our world comprises of shadows which most of us mistake as the truth or reality (Plato 453). Just like the prisoners who could not move since they were chained, most people in the world cannot distinguish various forms of imperfections, defects or flaws from realities since they are chained in the world. However, on ascending from the world and into the intellectual world, human beings have the capacity to attain enlightenment and knowledge and thus, discovery of the idea of good (Plato 453). Secondly, the analogy further inspires individuals not to accept people, objects and situations at facial value. Most often, appearances turn out as deceptive, and as Plato points out, having such a perception of seeking the truth about the world is inappropriate since we can only know little about it. For instance, since the prisoners were tied and thus could not look around and discern the truth about the shadows, they had to remain contented with the idea that the shadows and echoes were produced by human beings moving behind them while carrying objects along with them (Plato 450). Therefore, shadows comprised the entire truth for the prisoners who looked at the images at facial value and, which significantly contributed to their beliefs and perceptions. However, after the release of one prisoner, he later comes to realize that all he had seen and known were false and that reality exists. However, it requires effort to discern it. Finally, Plato’s theory helps in understanding the theory and existence of Forms. In the Republic, Plato reveals existence of various forms of things such as false, truth, good, beautiful and justice. Forms enables us to discuss, debate, agree or disagree on various issues such as justice and beauty found within the real world of truth (Plato 453). Therefore, by understanding reality, we gain knowledge of the Form which, entails the basis of argument and explanation. This proves that there exists more to our reality as opposed to our thinking. Thus, by universally recognizing the various principles of the forms, we clearly have an understanding about our reality. Despite presence of various strengths about the analogy, Plato’s work contains some weaknesses. First, Plato visualizes the Form of Good as the ultimate enlightenment which is best for every human kind (Plato 454). According to him, reaching such levels is difficult but forms the perfect status and manner by which people should live on earth. However, it is illogical to think that everyone will see such Form of Good in the same way as advocated for by Plato. Logically, Plato’s Form of Good may be imperfect for some people as it is subjective and therefore, not universal as he suggests. Secondly, Plato suggests the existence of perfect Form of everything (Plato 455). This, it also infer that there exists perfect forms of unpleasant things and which by their realms are supposed to be perfect, eternal and unchanging. However, it is unrealistic to argue that the world does not need unpleasant things such as mud, mucus and human wastes. Presence of the bad things are beneficial to us in one way or another and therefore, they cannot be eliminated altogether. Consequently, the existence of the Forms as suggested by Plato reveals that his “heaven” does not sound and appear heaven; which is attributed with presence of perfect things. Finally, in his analogy, Plato fails to demonstrate the presence and attractiveness of our physical world. This is clearly shown when gloomy cave scene fails to represent the happiness and pleasures of our senses. Thus, it demonstrates that the cave is dissimilar to our world and therefore, it is incorrect to relate or compare it with the world as suggested by Plato. Plato’s analogy reveals a lesson to people living in the sense world and for that which lies behind the world. Plato asserts that for one to achieve enlightenment and thus, become knowledgeable and be able to recognize and maintain “good”, he must ascent from the world of the cave and move into the intellectual world (Plato 453). However, attaining or reaching the intellectual world requires an effort and thus people must be ready for the task. For instance, the prisoner had to withstand pain and glaze of the sun but, later came to realize the truth about all that he had been seeing before. Secondly, Plato’s analogy cautions those living in the sense world (upper world) not to stick there. Such people must revisit to the “prison world” and share with the prisoners their experiences such as labors, pain and honors regardless whether they deserve or not (Plato 456). This will ensure that the enlightened remain aware of the suffering encountered by the prisoners and therefore, search for a solution to alleviate the agony. According to Plato, the prisoners should not lead a worse life yet they might have a better life (Plato 456). Therefore, the prisoners need to be removed from the cave and thereafter made to undergo serious education and training in order to become enlightened. Plato believes that education is the only way to eliminate suffering from people still living in the unenlightened world. Third, Plato argues that since the prisoner went back to the cave to enlighten the other prisoners he left behind, philosophers must not rest or relax but should also visit back the world behind. Having been exposed, philosophers will have the opportunity to see ten thousand times better compared to the chained prisoners in the cave (Plato 456). Thus, they will understand various forms of images and their meanings. This will be possible since philosophers have witnessed the beautiful, just, as well as, the good in their truth compared to the prisoners. They must interact and share their experiences with the rest in order to assist them in becoming enlightened (Plato 456). Therefore, Plato asserts that in doing so, philosophers will not only experience dream but also reality and therefore, make them take charge in assisting the State in terms of management and ruling. This will ensure presence of proper and just governance in the world and this will improve the living standards of the citizens. For that which lies behind the world, Plato believes that all human beings are capable of reaching enlightenment levels though the journey is painful, slow and challenging with addition of effort (Plato 452). Therefore, individuals who aspire to become philosophers have to meet, encounter and endure the challenges. Despite being challenging, the process is realistic and achievable for those still living in the world behind. Philosophers therefore, have an obligation of helping and ensuring that those in the world behind also become philosophers. This will ensure that everyone experiences and witnesses the “good” of the intellectual world (Plato 456). Further, the extent (comparison) of people to the shadows in the cave is incomplete since people are unlike the shadows. Individuals are different from the shadows in the cave since human beings are real and possess some sense, perception and logic. However, shadows lack these features as they are not real but just a creation and reflection coming from light (sun) on people. Moreover shadows vary in size depending with the time of the day while people never vary in size on daily basis. Consequently, the world is like Plato’s cave. Our world is like the cave whereby the prisoners are tied and prevented from seeing, realizing or distinguishing truth from shadows (false). This is, despite presence of fire which, resembles the sun. The fire reflects various shadows of people and images on a cave wall but since we are chained and cannot trace the source of the shadows, all we can do is to watch and believe that the shadows are real things. However, for us to become enlightened, we must stand, move around and ascend to an intellectual world (Plato 453). In conclusion, Plato reveals existence of two kinds of worlds, the enlightened or upper world and the unenlightened world or the cave. People living in the two worlds have different experiences, varying levels of exposure and viewpoints. For one to become enlightened, he must ascent from the cave to the upper world. However, the journey is never easy since one has to face various challenges and suffering. Subsequently, those who emerge victorious will become wise, understand the existence of various Forms, and witness the benefits of good, which, incorporates all that is beautiful, bears light for the world, as well as, acts as source of reason and truth among intellectuals. However, the philosophers should strive to return to the enlightened world to share, witness and experience various challenges within the prison. Moreover, they should educate, govern and offer appropriate leadership to the unenlightened world as this will improve the living standards and reduce suffering. Works Cited Plato. The Allegory of the Cave. Brea, CA: P & L Publication, 2010. Print. Read More