Explain Plato's Allegory Of The Cave
1. Beginning on line 30, Plato describes a prisoner being released. What is the prisoner’s reaction to this?
When Plato describes a prisoner being released, the captive suffers pain during the transition from illusion to reality. He does not understand the realities, and is frightened. Slowly, however, the prisoner’s vision is metamorphosed at being exposed to the light, and he understands more and more. The light is the main focus in this allegory: the prisoner’s knowledge is directly affected by it.
2. In lines 49-52, the prisoner is slowly adjusting to the real world, which of Plato’s 6 philosophical assumptions is being introduced here? Explain. Plato introduces his assumption that the real world can only be apprehended intellectually. The …show more content…
He reasons about the sun, and comes to see it as the origin of life. This is Plato’s allegory. The light is the source of knowledge, and knowledge is intrinsic to a worthy life.
4. What happens to the freed prisoner in lines 76-82?
The prisoner returns to the cave and his eyes are astonished by the darkness and lack of knowledge. When he tries to talk to the other prisoners about realities, they ask him to measure up the only realities they have known. When he fails, they take this as proof of his insanity, mock him for his delusions and threaten violence if he should dare attempt to free them from their self-imposed ignorance.
5. In lines 95-98, Plato explains his opinion about the state of human beings in society. Do you agree or disagree with him? Be sure to state and support your opinion.
Plato considers that society as completely superficial. Philosophers do not desire to enter it again, because they have attained reason and order. Consequently, society is by nature superficial and disorderly. I disagree. This opinion is a generalization, as society comprises people in every class, and cannot be judged with one
When Plato describes a prisoner being released, the captive suffers pain during the transition from illusion to reality. He does not understand the realities, and is frightened. Slowly, however, the prisoner’s vision is metamorphosed at being exposed to the light, and he understands more and more. The light is the main focus in this allegory: the prisoner’s knowledge is directly affected by it.
2. In lines 49-52, the prisoner is slowly adjusting to the real world, which of Plato’s 6 philosophical assumptions is being introduced here? Explain. Plato introduces his assumption that the real world can only be apprehended intellectually. The …show more content…
He reasons about the sun, and comes to see it as the origin of life. This is Plato’s allegory. The light is the source of knowledge, and knowledge is intrinsic to a worthy life.
4. What happens to the freed prisoner in lines 76-82?
The prisoner returns to the cave and his eyes are astonished by the darkness and lack of knowledge. When he tries to talk to the other prisoners about realities, they ask him to measure up the only realities they have known. When he fails, they take this as proof of his insanity, mock him for his delusions and threaten violence if he should dare attempt to free them from their self-imposed ignorance.
5. In lines 95-98, Plato explains his opinion about the state of human beings in society. Do you agree or disagree with him? Be sure to state and support your opinion.
Plato considers that society as completely superficial. Philosophers do not desire to enter it again, because they have attained reason and order. Consequently, society is by nature superficial and disorderly. I disagree. This opinion is a generalization, as society comprises people in every class, and cannot be judged with one