Allegory of the Cave Commonlit Answers

1. Describe how the people in the cave are situated in Plato's parable. Why can't they move their legs or necks to take a look around? What is the only thing they are capable of seeing? What is their only source of light? The people in the cave are lined up to where they can only see the wall and shadows. They can’t look around because they are chained up. They can only see shadows from a fire. 2. What are the stages of the liberated prisoner's experience outside the cave? First a prisoner is unchained, sees a fire, and walks up a hil. Then he sees reflections in the water which are similar to shadows but more clear. Then he finally sees the full objects 3. What do these prisoners trapped in the cavern believe is real? Shadows 4. How do the prisoners react when they first see sunlight? Why? What sometimes happens to people when the illusion is shattered and reality is revealed? It will hurt his eyes and he will look away. He is not used to the bright light, for he was formally in the dark with a fire that only casted shadows. When people’s former realities are proven to be false, the may not accept it for they are not accustomed to change. 5. What does Plato’s allegory of the cave tell us about how we recognize things? It shows us that everyone perceives things differently, so there is no single reality that is superior to the others. Although, there are realities that are much clearer than the rest and when these illusions become less clear to one member, he may be shunned for speaking out. Many members of “illusions” have an ignorance is bliss type of mindset. 6. What does Plato’s cave tell us about what we see with our eyes? Depending on where you live, you might see a different reality based on the events of the area. He is saying that just because you do not see something occur, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. 7. What is truth according to Plato in this allegory? The truth in the cave is what the people interpret from real truths, for they cannot fully see the objects, just outlines of them. The wall’s truths are only subjective, picking out bits and pieces of reality. The real truth comes from what we can comprehend, not from observation. The real truth comes from building on conceptual structures in your mind. Everyone’s truth may be slightly different based on one’s conception of a certain thing. 8. How is it possible that people can believe in illusion and accept it as reality? If you grow up being taught that an illusion is your reality, it is hard to break away from that once grown up, for the realization that your reality was false can be devastating. Many would rather think they are correct so they can avoid this devastation. (ignorance is bliss) 9. Describe other "caves" in modern life in which people might be "imprisoned" or feel "imprisoned". Religion has many different caves. The many ideologies in the world often have clashing views and when confronted, one just says the others are “wrong”. However, this is not true because each religion looks at life differently, for they either grew up with the religion or like a certain viewpoint better than the others. Each individual may have certain experiences that, to them, prove their religion is the correct one. This being said, it is a faith, so we technically have no way of knowing which ones are “right” or “wrong” at this point. Other examples of the cave in modern day would be political views, global issues, the media, news stations, etc. 10. If a prisoner is released from the cave and compelled to look toward the light, what will he experience? Why? He will experience pain because he is not used to the bright light, making it hard for him to see the reality. He has to adjust to the light to see the reality. Meaning, if someone is exposed to a new viewpoint, they may be defensive and in denial, but when he opens his mind to the possibility of it being true, he is able to see the truth. 11. If the liberated prisoner goes back to the cave and tries to explain to his former fellow prisoners, what kind of reaction will he get? Why? He will get told he is crazy and is lying. This occurs because they have not seen what he has seen and only shadows. They are unable to open their minds to the possibility of the reality because they are more comfortable with the dark shadows. They are afraid of the real truth. 12. To what extent do you find Socrates point about human tendency to confuse "shadows" with "reality" relevant today? In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind? In politics, both sides tend to look at shadows instead of realities. They like to pick out scenarios that boost their perspective and ignore what is against them. Doing this, no one can come to a consensus. Although, there are some people who will pick for or against either side, but both sides hate them, for they don’t fully agree. 13. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education? Many people refuse to look at the facts and like to rely on their opinions of things, but when people do look at the facts, it is hard to put away one’s ego and pride to really understand the facts that may go against one’s beliefs. He believes everyone needs to think rationally. 14. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom? They are unable to free themselves, so someone else has to free them. This means that knowledge has to be taught from someone else. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)