Without a doubt, philosophy is the result of an effort to understand much more than the world that man sees. Philosophers have put forward some ideas since the beginning of humanity. The best known of these philosophers is Plato, and the best known idea is Plato’s allegory of the cave. Plato’s allegory of the cave is a story full of parables that you’ve heard at least once, even if you’re not into philosophy.
Although everyone knows what Plato’s allegory of the cave is, you may not be sure what Plato’s allegory of the cave tells us. Because philosophy requires not only knowing, but also understanding and thinking. What is Plato’s allegory of the cave, which has been told since ancient times and helped us even shape today’s world, what it tells us, let’s examine it in all details.
What is Plato’s allegory of the cave?
In Plato’s allegory of the cave, described by Socrates in the seventh book of Plato’s Republic, three people chained to a cave are mentioned. These people can only see the cave wall and each other. Three people, who have been in this state since birth, hear the shadows and echoing sounds reflected from the cave entrance on the wall. So reality for them is just shadows and echoes.
Then one of these people unchains him and throws himself out of the cave. After experiencing temporary blindness from the intense light, his eyes adjust, realizing that what they see is actually just shadows and the sounds they hear are just echoes. When he goes to the edge of a stream, seeing his reflection and shadow in the water makes him understand everything.
When he returns to the cave with great enthusiasm and tells about this situation, he is accused of being crazy by his friends. When he wants to save them, the two people in chains say they don’t want to go crazy like him and continue to stay in the cave. They even try to attack the one who is freed from their chains. No matter how much he tells, two people in chains cannot understand this situation and continue to lead their lives there.
Parables in Plato’s allegory of the cave:
- Cave: Society
- People chained in a cave: individuals who are part of society
- Chain: Rules limiting people living in society
- Temporary blindness: feeling lost, confused
- The shadows cast on the cave wall: What is considered real by society
- The person who breaks the chain: The philosopher or the person who questions
What does Plato’s allegory of the cave tell us?
Humanity has determined certain rules since the day it started to live in large groups, that is, as a society, and these rules have sometimes expanded and sometimes narrowed over time. According to different beliefs, the orders sent by the creator through revelation have become more strict or more comfortable over time by adding them to social rules. So there are always rules.
If the individual wants to live in harmony with the society, he must follow the set rules. For the individual living within the framework of the rules, all reality is what is experienced within this framework. Things that are outside the framework of the rules and society often do not attract the attention of the individual who is already comfortable. However, sometimes there are exceptions.
Individuals who are somehow more curious than society also want to learn about life outside of society and its rules. However, they falter when they step out of the environment they live in. Continuing on his way patiently, the individual realizes that the society and the rules in which he lives are only his own reality. In fact, reality is very different from what they were taught.
Of course, the individual who has learned the truth now turns to his society and says that what he is living in is not real. Societies that strictly adhere to their rules reject the truth and bring unfortunate things to those who speak the truth. Societies that are not very attached to their rules can bring some new rules by taking the reality into consideration. But rules will always exist.
What did Plato mean by Allegory of the Cave?
Plato’s allegory of the cave is a story that was put forward hundreds of years ago. What is meant to be told seems quite simple to many people, and in this respect it is likened to a wisdom story. Over time, many studies have been made about Plato’s allegory of the cave. Some said this allegory was wonderful, while others found many wrongs.
After all, this is exactly the purpose of philosophy. The question of what Plato’s allegory of the cave tells us should not actually have an answer. This question should raise many new questions. For some basic studies, the analogy and story in Plato’s allegory of the cave can be told within a certain framework. However, what is really desired is that even this story should be examined outside the frameworks.
Atheists might say religion for chain, anarchists might say state for chain, socialists might say capitalism for chain, religious people might say devil for chain, nationalists might say external forces for chain. There may be those who see the cave as their home or one who sees it as a prison. If you say ignorance is bliss, outside the cave can really drive you crazy. While shadows are enough for some, others may pursue the shadow creator. I mean, that’s philosophy.
Plato’s allegory of the cave actually tells us ’21. Why are you still talking about a story written hundreds of years ago in the 21st century?’ he even asks. Maybe we’ve chained ourselves in the cave we created and the shadows are so beautiful that we don’t want to chase the light, or wonder if there really is a light. Plato thought, we are still thinking about thinking.
We answered questions such as what is Plato’s allegory of the cave, which has been the favorite story of those who have been interested in philosophy for hundreds of years, and what does it tell us, and we tried to think a little about this story full of analogies. You can share your thoughts about Plato’s cave allegory in the comments.
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