Analogy of the Cave

Analogy of the Cave

1. In 'Republic' Plato demonstrates his ideas about human knowledge (in relation to reality and the Theory of the Forms)

2. Symbolism

   • The cave = the visible world we live in, WoA
   • Escaped prisoner = philosopher (Socrates/Plato)
   • Prisoners = humanity
   • Shadows + echoes = our perception of reality, empirical knowledge, copies of Forms
   • Outside = true reality, world of the Forms
   • Sun = Form of the Good
   • Journey = discovering true knowledge
   • Prisoner dying = Socrates' death, due to ignorance
   • Return to the cave = philosopher trying to explain his ideas. Plato's belief that those with philosophical knowledge should lead society.

3. The analogy:

   • A dark cave connected to the outside world by a long passage. Inside is a row of prisoners. They are chained up with their backs to the entrance, unable to move.
   • Behind prisoners is a bright fire, people move past the cave all day carrying things. Their shadows projected on the wall, and voices echo around.
     • This is their perceived reality
   • A prisoner is released. The sunlight blinds and confuses him but he comes to understand the world outside the cave illuminated by the Sun.
   • He returns to the cave and is blinded by the darkness. The others don't understand his experiences as they only know the shadows+echoes. He can't play their guessing game anymore. They may kill him for bringing confusion to their safe world.

4. Analogy = comparing one thing with another that's similar to explain something