Summary Of Plato's Allegory Of The Cave

Plato’s writings were based on knowledge and how one gains it mainly through philosophy. I can relate to his ideas and commitments to his students. He is passionate and does everything in his power to give his students the knowledge needed to succeed. In The Allegory of the Cave, Plato’s main message was the effects of education and the lack of it. He used the analogy of being in a cave of darkness. The only knowledge that the prisoners had been from their imagination because they haven’t experienced anything else. This holds the prisoners back from gaining the truth that is outside of the cave. Plato describes an experience of a prisoner that was able to ascend from the cave and see reality outside. He was able to see things in a different light. He no longer had to use his imagination to comprehend things and ideas around him. He escaped the visible realm and had entered the knowable realm which provides truth and understanding (Republic, 517c). As an educator, I understand it’s important to have students look beyond the obvious. They have to think critically about ideas and concepts presented to them. It’s important to have them examine things in different ways to fully comprehend them. In Seventh Letter, Plato offered an explanation in the different
Plato also made this clear in Seventh Letter. Plato wrote, “Even though he may be quick at learning and remembering this and that and other things, nor any man who, through akin justice, is slow at learning and forgetful, will ever attain the truth that is attainable about virtue” (Thirteen epistles of Plato, 344a). Learning has to be more involved. Students need to experience and be actively engaged in their learning. If students just read from a book or listened to a lecture, they cannot be taught to the fullest extent. They need to participate and play an active role in their learning to maximize their