Plato’s Cave, Essay Example

In book VII of his famous ‘Republic’, Plato, first of all, emphasizes the necessity of enlightenment, using the allegory of the cave. The cave is inhabited by imaginary group of people. They “have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads” (Grube, 1992). As a result, the people in the cave cannot see what is happening behind their backs. However, there is a fire that allows the prisoners to observe the movement of the shadows on the wall. After living in the cave for a certain period of time they start to perceive those shadows as an ultimate reality.

Suddenly, one of the prisoners succeeds to break the chain and escapes. He is startled by the world outside of the cave. At first, he cannot see clearly as he has no experience watching three-dimensional objects. Occasionally his eyes get used to it and he realizes that the actual world is much larger than his fellow prisoners believe. He rushes back to share the experience that he has gained but they treat him as crazy and do not believe in his stories. Furthermore, as he disturbs their everyday lives and doubts their picture of reality, the prisoners are ready to kill him.

Using the allegory of the cave, Plato highlights that the education is significant for human society. The prevailing majority of people sees only the shadows on the wall and is satisfied with it. But the philosophers should attempt to free themselves from the cave and experience the broader reality. It will inevitably lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in communication with others as they see beyond sensation while the rest of the people perceive the shadows as the fundamental reality. It is painful even for a philosopher to look out at the light so the ordinary people, naturally, try to avoid this pain. However, there is no turning back for a person who has seen the real world and he or she will never be able return to the cave and calmly observe the shadows again.

Secondly, Plato’s allegory of the cave is also essential in the context of his political philosophy. The Republic is first of all a book about an ideal system of government where Plato presents his perspective on the best way of social order (Morzinski,2002). Therefore it is important to understand why the allegory of the cave is used in this particular book. He intended to demonstrate that it would be impossible for all people in a community to have the same perception of public good. So the philosophers that can see beyond the sensation and everyday routine must be the kings. Ordinary people may be brilliant in their professions but they lack talent and skills to efficiently manage the public affairs. They live in a cave and will be happy if no one ruins their perception of the world. The philosophers, on the contrary, are capable of seeing the true reality. As a result, only the philosophers can to determine what is best for the rest of people. They can make the decisions for the public good.

The system of governance, described in the Republic, is totalitarian by its nature. The allegory of the cave is used to justify its existence and legitimize it in the eyes of the public. Plato does emphasize the importance of the enlightenment. However, the main reason why the people should pursuit new knowledge is to enter the ‘caste’ of philosophers, break the chains, and leave the cave. It is the only way to freedom as the prevailing majority of ordinary people will always remain the prisoners. Their fate will be decided by the few that can see beyond the ‘shadow’ who will define the public good as they wish. The rest will always remain in a cave watching only what they are allowed to watch.

References

Grube, G. M. A. & C. D. C. Reeve. Plato: Republic. 2nd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.

Klein, Marcus. “In Plato’s Cave.” The New Leader 82.5 (1999): 15.

Morzinski, Mary. “Heart of Darkness and Plato’s myth of the cave.” Conradiana 34.3 (2002): 227-235.