Summary Of Allegory Of The Cave
The Cave: The Allegory Of The Cave
Summary Of Platos Allegory Of The Cave
Allegory Of The Cave
Allegory Of The Cave Analysis
Summary Response to Platos Allegory of the Cave
Allegory Of The Cave Summary
Platos "Allegory of the Cave"
Allegory of the Cave Summary and Response Essay
Platos "Allegory of the Cave"
The Allegory Of The Cave Essay
Summary Allegory Of The Cave
Allegory Of The Cave Summary
Allegory Of The Cave Essay
The Allegory Of The Cave Summary
Analysis Of Platos Allegory Of The Cave
Summary: The Allegory Of The Cave
Summary: The Allegory Of The Cave
Allegory Of The Cave Essay
1. Summary Of Allegory Of The Cave
The story of the Allegory of the Cave is about a group of prisoners have lived in a cave since birth.
They are bound so that they can only look straight. Behind them is a fire and there are puppets
shows play every day. Because of the fire, the cast shadows across the wall that the prisoners are
facing. Therefore, those prisoners see the shadows as reality. Later, a prisoner went out to the
cave and realized what the reality is. However, when he went back to the cave and tells other
prisoners, and no one believed him. This story reminds me of another story in China. The Chinese
story is about a frog has lived in a water well. The frog thought the sky was only as big as the mouth
of the well, because that is all he can see. However, after the
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2. The Cave: The Allegory Of The Cave
The "Cave" was told as an allegory, a story that is compared to something similar, but unstated.
The "Cave" represents people who think knowledge comes from experience in the world. This is
known as empirical evidence. In the cave believers of this type of evidence believe that they are
trapped in some type of cave. This cave that they are trapped in this cave of misunderstanding. The
shadows are seen as those who believe in this type of evidence and that it guarantees knowledge. If
what you see is what you believe, then that is the truth, it is just a shadow of what the truth is. The
game shows that some people believe that a person is a master when they have knowledge of this
world. Plato showed though that this master knows nothing really and thinks it is absurd to look
up to someone so highly in such ways. The escape prisoner is like a philosopher. This philosopher
is one who looks for knowledge outside of this cave. The sun then shows us philosophical
knowledge and truth. The sun is wisdom. Then there was the return. The other prisoners were
scared of knowing all of the knowledge of this world, so when the escapee returned they were
shocked. The overall lesson of the "Cave" was that sometimes knowledge is a good thing, but
sometimes if someone is...show more content...
They were only really aloud to have their spouse during certain festivals. They were only aloud to
have sexual relations with them during the festivals as well. If they had a child during the
undesignated time, that child would be killed, because it was not conceived at the right time. The
women are also like a guardian of the home, but has limits. When a guardian they are viewed as
superior to the man. Women then later are advocated for to have equal education, which is great for
women. In a way women are held to a higher power than the man, but in other aspects they are held
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3. Summary Of Plato's Allegory Of The Cave
Plato explores his idea of Forms in the Allegory of the Cave. Plato describes this simple setting of
men living tied up in a cave, surrounded by darkness and only being able to see the shadows of
objects due to a flame behind them. They give names to these shadows because that is the only
reality they have been given since birth. This is essentially all they are aware of. Once one of the
men break free he realizes that up to that point everything he is aware of is actually false. There is
a real world beyond the cave and the man is able to explore that. After experiencing some sort of
joy from the lightness in the upper world he returns to the cave to share what he has learned only to
be criticized and killed for trying to release the other...show more content...
According to Plato, knowledge is based purely on acquired experience such as when one of the
prisoners broke out and experienced the upper world. Plato argues that it is reasonable to say that
men are not able to simply give knowledge to someone that is not himself but that our own
knowledge should let us reason that we do not possess the power or resources to know everything in
the world and should rely on others to recount their understandings (page 232). On the other hand,
belief as defined by Plato relates to our opinion and what we sense our reality to be. He illustrates
this concept in the Allegory of the Cave with the scene of the men only being able to see the
objects on the wall. For this is all they know and is it not reasonable for them to feel comfort in it
despite there being an upper world? He reasons that it is their belief that makes them stays so
closely to wanting to stay in the cave rather then leave with the escaped man. They kill the man
because they do not want their perception of life to be destroyed despite the reality (the escaped
prisoner's knowledge) being better then their perceived reality (belief). In this sense, the shackles
they are tied down to represent the ignorance they wish to keep (page 231). The terms knowledge
and belief are alike in the sense that they describe what one can distinguish their reality to be, it
differs by either being based on actual familiarity or on the bliss of
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4. Analysis of Plato's Allegory of the Cave
Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" presents a vision of humans as slaves chained in front of a fire
observing the shadows of things on the cave wall in front of them. The shadows are the only
"reality" the slaves know. Plato argues that there is a basic flaw in how we humans mistake our
limited perceptions as reality, truth and goodness. The allegory reveals how that flaw affects our
education, our spirituality and our politics.
The flaw that Plato speaks about is trusting as real, what one sees – believing absolutely that what
one sees is true. In The Allegory of the Cave, the slaves in the caves know that the shadows, thrown
on the wall by the fire behind them, are real. If they were to...show more content...
The people must teach the others of the reality outside of the cave, outside of the slaves' reality.
These are the philosophers. The capacity to learn exists in the soul. Humans need to use their whole
soul to learn, not just use their eyes. Plato writes, "the power and capacity of learning exists in the
soul already; and that just as the eye was unable to turn from the darkness to light without the whole
body, so too the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned
from the world of becoming into that of being." (Jacobus 320).
According to Plato, human beings misperception about "reality" also affects one's spiritual growth.
When the slave makes the ascent and sees the sun, he might mistake it for God. Plato writes, "He
will then argue that this [the sun] is he, the guardian of...the visible world...the cause of all things"
(Jacobus 318). Having moved from darkness into light, the slave comes to the conclusion that this
bright light must be God. Plato argues that one?s soul holds knowledge of what is true. When one
learns, one simply remembers. People originate from Heaven where they knew the truth. In the
Bible it states, "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day" (Corinthians II, 4:16). One is renewed day by day by remembering things that their soul knows,
but that they have forgotten.
Plato discredits
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5. Allegory Of The Cave
The Allegory of the Cave means that, people do not see things as they really are. That mankind
assumes concepts but they do not have the full picture; One reason is because we only have five
senses. For example, in Allegory of the Cave, Socrates explains that the chained men see the
shadows and assume that they are being cast from the real item. However the shadows did not
come from the real things they were just illusions and models. It also means that as humans, we
tend to believe what is in front of us and not dig deeper to make sure we are correct.
Plato was a Greek philosopher, whose cousin is Glaucon, and Socrates was his teacher. Plato had his
own school, which was the first university in history. Plato wrote this dialogue so he can...show more
content...
Plato's message is for us to continue to explore and investigate and not get stuck with our five
senses because our five senses or forms limit humans and are only useful to some extent. Also for
us to learn from mistakes, learn about nature, humans, purpose of life, etc. so we as humans can
improve our lives and become more successful. He wants us to be philosophers, to talk and explain
with one another, but to be careful to who we explain. In a way, he says to receive answers for our
own benefit and only help our self to avoid ending like the Freed
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6. Allegory Of The Cave Analysis
The Allegory of the Cave as it begins with observation of people that are less spirited and see how
evil or righteous each one is. Along with comparing them to one other and themselves. This
observation is deeply observed to search for people that can be educated to stand before rulers and
fight for their own beliefs. But, only permit to be next to high rulers for a time and once the term is
completed send down to be with any other commoner. Thus at the end feeling that they have come to
a conclusion that the best will come from people that are not rich in material things but strong in
knowledge.
It is describing the possibly that the darkness might have been through not by choose but, already
forced among them since birth. Inflicting
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7. Summary Response to Plato's Allegory of the Cave
SUMMARY RESPONSE TO PLATO'S ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE (625 WORDS)
The main idea presented by Plato in his infamous Allegory of the Cave is that the average person's
perceptions are severely limited by personal perspective. Plato uses the metaphorical situation of
prisoners chained together in a way that limited their visual perception to the shadows projected
from behind them onto a wall in front of them. He uses that metaphor to illustrate that perspective
determines perceptions and also that once an individual achieves a wider or more accurate
perspective, it becomes difficult for him to communicate with those who are still limited to the
narrower perspective that he may have once shared with them. Plato meant his allegory to apply to
the limitations of perspective attributable to social experiences as well as to the absence of formal
education and training, particularly in logical reasoning. Plato believed that logical reasoning is a
skill that must be learned through formal training and that without adequate training, it is
substantially impossible to understand the logical perspective. Plato's main goal in the Allegory of
the Cave is to communicate the relevance and importance of the concept of intellectual perspective.
His real agenda is to illustrate that most people are likely perceiving the world around them in a
much more limited manner than they realize and that most of us are, to some degree, living our lives
in the same circumstances as the prisoners he
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8. Allegory Of The Cave Summary
In the story "Allegory of the Cave" by Plato, the events, told by Socrates, that occur in the lives of
the chained prisoners trapped inside of a cave is a parable and reflection of various past and
present day connections. Firstly, this story relates philosophically to the shadows in the cave as
well as the imprisoned man who escaped. Although the imprisoned men are being manipulated by
the objects that are placed in front of a burning fire and projected onto the wall, the shadows, from
a philosophical standpoint, represent the reality of their lives nonetheless.1 An imprisoned man
escapes the cave and begins to play the role of a philosopher by drawing the line between
appearance vs. reality. The man initially feels pain by first seeing the...show more content...
This is evident when the escaped man returns to the cave to share his newfound enlightenment and
knowledge with the imprisoned men, but they turn against him. The imprisoned men are offended
and even threaten to kill the escaped man because they've become accustomed to and have
embraced the current life and their reality, which is defined by shadows on the wall. This shows
that when society grows accustomed to a particular way of life, the desire to escape our comfort
zone and embrace knowledge and other perceptions of life diminishes. A modern–day example of
where this is evident is the evolution of media and politics in our society. Comparing the early
years of radio and television to the present day, it can be seen how a growing number of
population are beginning to "escape from the cave" and becoming enlightened with philosophical
knowledge and wisdom. Due to the monopoly of TV services in the early years of television, it
was easier to manipulate the masses with governmental propaganda. But, as the television and
radio industry evolved, and satellite TV and radio was introduced, people "escaped from the cave"
and became exposed and had access to a broader variety of stations with diverse and conflicting
opinions and
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9. Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"
Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" – Analysis and Summary The "Allegory of the Cave" by Plato
represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in which we perceive and believe in
what is reality. The thesis behind his allegory is the basic opinion that all we perceive are imperfect
"reflections" of the ultimate Forms, which subsequently represent truth and reality. In his story,
Plato establishes a cave in which prisoners are chained down and forced to look upon the front wall
of the cave. In "Allegory of the Cave" there there are two elements to the story; the fictional
metaphor of the prisoners, and the philosophical opinion in that the allegory is supposed to
represent, hence presenting us with the allegory itself. The...show more content...
Plato describes the vision of the real truth to be "aching" to the eyes of the prisoners, and how
they would naturally be inclined to going back and viewing what they have always seen as a
pleasant and painless acceptance of truth. This stage of thinking is noted as "belief." The comfort
of the perceivement, and the fear of the unrecognized outside world would result in the prisoner
being forced to climb the steep ascent of the cave and step outside into the bright sun. Once the
prisoner climbs out of the cave and is fully immersed in the sun's rays, Socrates continues to
explain the prisoner's bewilderment, fear, and blindness to the objects he was now being told were
real. The natural reaction of the prisoner would be to recognize shadows and reflections. After his
eyes adjust to the sunlight, he begins to see items and people in their own existence, outside of the
cave. When the prisoner looks up to the sky and looks into the Sun, and recognizes it as the cause of
all that is around himВ—he has perceived the "Form of the Good!" This point in the passage marks
the climax, as the prisoner, who not long ago was blind to the "Form of the Good" (as well as the
basic Forms in general), now is aware of reality and truth. When this has occurred, the ultimate stage
of thought has been achieved, and that is
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10. Allegory of the Cave Summary and Response Essay
Marlo Diorio
Dr. Mishra – College Writing I
"Allegory of the Cave" "Allegory of the Cave", written by Plato, is story that contrasts the
differences between what is real and what is perceived. He opens with Glaucon talking to
Socrates. He has Glaucon imagine what it would be like to be chained down in a cave, not able to
see anything other than what is in front of him. He tells a story of men that were trapped in a cave
and were prisoners to the truth. These prisoners have only seen shadows. But because of their
ignorance, these slaves to the cave believe that the shadows are real. The story goes on to say that
one of the men has been dragged out of the cave. He is not happy to see the real world, yet upset
because he is being taken...show more content...
It would never be an easy path to walk down, and it would take a lot of struggling. Only certain
determined people will actually make it to the opposite side. Socrates says these most qualified
people should be the ones to lead the public. I believe this is also true in today's society. I say this
because when it comes to election time, we as a country are not going to vote for an uneducated
lunatic. I believe that the president should be someone intelligent with good morals and very
qualified. In order to reach that high point, you must go out of your comfort zone, like the prisoner
did. In life, people go out of their comfort zones all of the time. I've always believed that in order
to achieve something you've never had/done, you must do something you've never done before,
such as stepping out of your comfort zone. Only the best can be found when you make an attempt
to extend yourself as a human being. I relate the cave in this story to the social norm. No one
wants to step out of it because I their life, the norm is all there is. I believe the shadows would
represent all of the other things that could be out there, but they have no desire to go find out what
they are. They are too comfortable with what they have and haven't gone looking for more. The
cave is a comfort zone for the prisoners in Plato's time and for teenagers today. Without the outside
world, there is no curiosity, no questioning. I believe it is important to
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11. Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"
Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" – Analysis and Summary
The "Allegory of the Cave" by Plato represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in
which we perceive and believe in what is reality. The thesis behind his allegory is the basic opinion
that all we perceive are imperfect "reflections" of the ultimate Forms, which subsequently represent
truth and reality. In his story,Plato establishes a cave in which prisoners are chained down and
forced to look upon the front wall of the cave. In "Allegory of the Cave" there there are two
elements to the story; the fictional metaphor of the prisoners, and the philosophical opinion in that
the allegory is supposed to represent, hence presenting us with the allegory itself.
The complex...show more content...
The story as told by Socrates and Glaucon presents a unique look at the way in which reality plays
such an important part in our own existence, and how one understands it can be used as a
qualification for leadership and
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12. The Allegory Of The Cave Essay
In what might be the most famous and recognizable image of Plato's Republic, the message of the
allegory of the cave is present not only in Book VII, but throughout the entire dialogue.
Plato–as–Socrates uses the allegory to express his views on philosophy's role in his city of speech
which is later shown more deeply with the five regimes in Book VIII. The cities in the five regimes
undergo a degradation as philosophy moves further and further away from the ruler; which also
mirrors the cave. Plato reveals his belief that the city and philosophy are inexorably linked through
the soul of the tyrannical man in Book IX, saying that without philosophy the soul withers and
learns to fear and hate the city because of the person's willingness to do whatever is necessary to
achieve their desires. In the various books, the allegory of the cave can be compared and likened
to the actions occurring within the pages of the text. From the very first line in the Republic, the
Allegory of the Cave is shown symbolically throughout the dialogue from beginning to end. At the
very beginning of Book VII, Socrates explains his allegory of the cave. Humans are placed in
chains in the cave from birth. They cannot move and can only see what is directly in front of them.
Behind them, hidden where they do not see, is a wall, a fire, and puppets with their handlers. The
puppets cast shadows on the cave wall in front of the prisoners, and because they have never
experienced anything else, they are
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13. Summary Allegory Of The Cave
Summary of The Allegory of the Cave by Plato
"The Allegory of the Cave "is a theory put forward by Plato concerning human perception. People
who are unenlightened have limited self– knowledge as this is illustrated by the three prisoners who
live in a darkened cave without ever questioning what may exist outside their dwellings. The
prisoners are chained in a particular way such that they can only see the wall they are facing.
Emerging from the wall are passerby shadows created by the effect of the fire and the people
walking with various objects behind them. To the restrained prisoners, the shadows are what
encompassed their reality therefore making their lives a complete illusion. As a result, Plato
distinguishes between people who mistake
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14. Allegory Of The Cave Summary
The Allegory of the Cave
The Allegory of the Cave is actually a part of the Plato's writings who is a Greek philosopher in
his series of writings titled as "The Republic" (Plato, 514). The Republic was written in different
parts and took different years to compile the writings together from years 514a to 520a. These
series of books were written to highlight the psychology of the people individuals and how they act
in different situations and era of life. It is written in the form of dialogue between Socrates and
especially this writing "The Allegory of the Cave" is written in the dialogue form between Socrates
and the brother of Plato named as Glaucon by Plato. Those series of Plato actually describes how
the education in the lives of the people brings change. He explains it to the readers by defining
two sides of the people one inside the cave where they are bound and the other is the life outside
the cave where they are free to make their own decisions. Socrates is actually the mentor of
Glaucon who is answering him several questions of the life and the reality of the life that people
faces during their lifetime era....show more content...
He has described that the people are tied up in the cave from their childhood and are not allowed
to move as their hands are tied and they cannot take their independent decisions. They are kept
insides as prisoners, "here they have been from their childhood and have their legs and necks
chained so that they cannot move," He also explains that how the people live in the caves are only
used to the shadows they see inside the cave as they are unable to see the basic reality if the life.
"....and they see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on
the opposite wall of the
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15. Allegory Of The Cave Essay
The Allegory of the Cave, or Plato's Cave, was presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his work
Republic (514a–520a) to compare "the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature".
(Wikipedia, 2017). From what I understood in the text the allegory of the cave is a dialogue between
Plato's teacher Socrates and his brother Glaucon. I believe that the four man parts of the allegory
of the cave are; the cave, the shadow game, the escape and the return. Plato's allegory of the cave
begins by letting the reader know that the article is about some prisoners that are kept in a cave all
chained up and can't even turn around. They have always been kept that way day and night and
they don't get to see any day light at all. They grew up...show more content...
He even realizes that the life he was living before the escape and the guessing game they played was
all useless.
The prisoner then returns to the cave, to let the other prisoners know about everything he learned
and found out in the real word. But the other prisoners didn't believe him and even threaten him; they
told him that if he tried setting them free they would actually kill him.
This whole passage reminded me of my older cousins. Believe me when I tell you that I'm not
proud to say this but I have five male cousins that have been in and out of jail there whole life,
they been in gangs and committing crimes since they were in their early teenage years. They've
committed crime after crime and they never seem to learn. But when one of them got out and
explored the world and realized that the life in jail isn't the same as the life out here in the real
word he decided that he wanted to change his ways, that he wanted to stop being in gangs, stop
committing crimes, stop going in and out of jail and that he wanted to get a job, his own place,
and even continue his education by getting his ged, and even have his own family. His supposly
friend his old cellmates judged him and told him that he was a fake friend and that he knew what
happened to fake people, that was wrong that the good life is running the streets and showing people
who's boss and
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16. The Allegory Of The Cave Summary
Activity #1: Plato Summary: In this allegory, Socrates sets up a hypothetical situation, and
Glaucon listens and provides his input. Socrates begins the allegory by saying, "they have their
legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them..." The men
struggle and feel pain when they try to see beyond what is ahead, but one of the men escapes and
ascends to the outside of the cave. It takes some time to adjust, but he sees the world around him,
and he realizes the false illusion of the cave. When goes back to tell the others in the cave, he faces
dire consequences. Response: Personally, I believe this text displays how society blindly follows
ideas and objects that appear to be concrete, and most have no intention
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17. Analysis Of Plato's 'Allegory Of The Cave'
Argued that reality exists in an unchanging world of perfect ideas.
Truth, goodness, justice, and beauty
"Allegory of the Cave"
Find truth in the Form of the Good
The sun represents the Form of the Good, the source of all that is bright, beautiful, good, and true.
The difficult process of turning away from shadows to truth represents the Socratic method's process
of learning by self–examination and reflection.
Reminiscence: Individuals recall the ideas present but hidden within their minds.
Pre–birth в†’ human soul existed in a spiritual world within their minds
Birth в†’ innate ideas are repressed within one's subconscious mind
Post–birth в†’ rediscovery or recollecting perfect ideas
Ideal Society
Plato's Republic: Plan for a perfect society
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18. Summary: The Allegory Of The Cave
"The Matrix" and the story "The Allegory of the Cave" by Plato is the reflection of the week. The
interpretation of reality and knowledge plays a big part in these stories. You can't have true
knowledge if you don't have a true reality.
Review
In The Matrix the problem of reality was once you learned the true state of the world, you could
never go back. All the images that are in your mind before you knew the real reality of the world
is still there after you have opened your eyes. (Wachowski & Wachowski, 1999) This same
problem is quoted in "The Allegory of the Cave" by Plato, "If one then compelled him to look at the
fire itself, his eyes would hurt, he would turn round and flee toward those things which he could see,
and think that they...show more content...
What is real is what you see, feel, touch, and hear. However, like in The Matrix the brain was telling
you that what you touch was there but it is really not (Malcolmson, 2004). The nature of reality then
is tested because you do not have the knowledge to complete the reality. Both show we can see
reality if we are open minded to things that are unconventional. However, both show how some
would go against the one that opens their eyes. Socrates states "As for the man who tried to free
them and lead them upward, if they could somehow lay their hands on him and kill him, they
would do so." (Chaffee, 2013) With Morpheus, he opened the eyes of Cypher and Cypher helps the
enemy catch Morpheus to kill him. This is because Cypher wished that he could go back and resents
Morpheus for taking him away from that world. (Wachowski & Wachowski,
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19. Summary: The Allegory Of The Cave
The synopsis: The Matrix, the excerpts from The Allegory of the Cave and Meditation I of the
Things of Which We May Doubt. The writing makes a person reevaluate what is real, or are we
part of a bigger system that control our every action to be moved like chess pieces to judge our
reactions or; are we dreaming. The three writing are plausible but shows skepticism and
justification. Reality is based on sense perception. (Dew & Foreman p.41) Synopsis; The Matrix
and Meditation I of the Things of Which We May Doubt are similar both excerpt when you are
reading them make you feel like this may be a dream. Both excerpts have similar sensory
experience. These authors make you question some fundamental beliefs. Are we been deceived
by our senses the excerpts make a person ask a simple question is my life an illusion. Neo in the
Matrix could not trust his senses once he found out he was controlled by a machine. Descartes also
could not trust his senses either he though was controlled by the evil genius he thought everything
around him was a delusion of his dream. Characters in the stories was all manipulated in their own
prospected ways, living their reality. The Allegory of the Cave was a little darker excerpt on how
the people have been in the cave since birth and the captures held them as prisoner, although the
prisoners do not realize they are being held captive. In this excerpt the...show more content...
"The Matrix" is a virtual reality world controlled by a computer and "The Cave" is a real world
which had two men as prisoners in a cave giving them shadows of reality. The Matrix was void of
form while the Plato Cave had form. Descartes and Plato suggested we are dreaming and need to
wake up to get back to real reality. The Matrix difference the real word we know is not real at all just
a computer simulation. Descartes believed in a higher power he concluded he senses is being
deceived by the evil
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20. Allegory Of The Cave Essay
The Allegory of the Cave
Plato, a Greek philosopher, wrote the Allegory of the Cave to compare the effect of education
and the lack of it on our nature. It questions reality, knowledge, and the meaning of life. He
described life as like being chained up in a cave, forced to watch shadows flitting across a stone
wall. The Allegory of the Cave is found in Book VII of The Republic, in which the Greek
philosopher envisioned the ideal society by examining concepts like justice, truth, and beauty. In the
allegory, a group of prisoners have been confined in a cavern since birth with their backs to the
entrance, unable to turn their heads, and with no knowledge of the outside world. Occasionally,
however, people and other things pass by the cave...show more content...
Greek history begins around 2000 BCE, when the first Indo–European settlers appeared around the
Aegean rim. In the stimulated a feeling of independence among the people; recognizing themselves
as the supporter of their own collective lives, they began to call their new communities poleis. A
polis referred to the physical town the people resided in and the group identity they shared. Being a
part of a polis meant more than happening to live in a place; it meant taking part in a network of
common commitments, responsibilities, and rights. The people of Greece gathered up armies,
created colonies, and developed the first philosophers. They established the city–states of Miletus,
Sparta, and Athens. Athens tested a variety of constitutions, some democratically created, some
dictated by sporadic autocrats. As the population grew, so did the desire to challenge the authority of
the aristocrats. Legal distinctions between classes, tribes, and precincts were made, laws were
drafted and redrafted, and both executive and judicial institutions were reorganized. This led to
tension that would become the beginning of many wars and battles, setting Greece up to enter its
Golden Age.
The start of the Persian Wars in 499 BCE and the end of thePeloponnesian War in 404 BCE mark
the Classical Age, when Greece observed immense growth in civic life, economic prosperity, artistic
expression, and literary achievement.
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