Today’s world is filled with prisoners, people who are ignorant and can easily be manipulated. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave he teaches his audience life issues, by allowing them to question the ideas that he is teaching them. He then takes this new information, that he as given his audience, and applies it to daily events and tells them how their life can be improved. Now, over two thousand years later these teachings still have an impact on our society. The best way to learn is to ask questions, and Plato understands this learning style. As the book begins, it is filled with numerous questions. Socrates continuously asks Glaucon if he is understanding and is able to picture the cave. He then goes on to ask Glaucon rhetorical questions about the cave. These questions are never answered by Glaucon, but they make the reader stop and reflect on the question being asked. They help develop the reads thoughts towards the ideas of enlightenment. Plato has given the reader the ideas of enlightenment, now he puts the ideas in more relatable situations. He then takes these teachings and applies them to things that are already known. He puts the reader in the position of the prisoner and explains the journey to enlightenment in a different way. He also applies the teachings to being able to know and understand something. He explains the ability to learn is already in the soul and is not something that can be added by a teacher. Relating these things shows the the power of enlightenment is trapped inside the soul, but one most know and be willing to use it. Plato has an audience that agrees, or has a better understanding of enlightenment, and tells them how to go forward and act upon it. He educated about the balance point, how one can not be in the light for to long. People need to be humbled and sent back into the cave. They have seen the goodness and the light and must go back and teach those who have not. Plato wants his readers to understand that there is a balance. For someone to be fully enlightened one must first be humble. They must be willing to go back into the cave and teach the great knowledge that they have received. The power of enlightenment can move people to see new things. Plato understands this power and believes he need to pass it on. He makes his audience fully understands the idea by bring it into it their own life. He then takes this greater understanding and teaches them how to use it and not waste it. The world is filled with people who are stuck and unwilling to try new things. These are the people who need to be brought to the light, break away from the chains and ascend into the light.
Allegory of the Cave is one of those classics that have a place in the world everyday. This work is designed to show the reader "enlightenment". It has been used throughout history to demonstrate what someone may not be able to see without help. This is done through the use of a teacher and a student. The first, and most, obvious pattern is Socrates, the teacher, repeatedly asking Glaucon is he understands what he is trying to convey. This has two effects: it keeps the story from being monotonous, and it allows the reader to have a small break from the work to process what has been said. This allows a fuller understanding of the text that is necessary for something this mentally intense. Plato's second tactic is to use imagery to better explain what is in his own mind. This is a strategy that has been used since the dawn of time to tell stories and keep records. Plato does this to show what exactly he means by a cave and the prisoners.By using this technique in this format, it appeals to two different ways of understanding text: reading and understanding through the words, and reading and understanding through the imagery. Plato's dual use of these techniques allows a wide range of scholars to understand his texts. The combination of the previous two techniques work with incredible synergy. Creating mental breaks that allow the reader to fully understand the work while simultaneously creating a sort of "fourth dimension" for the mind, creates a very powerful system that can be read and understood by nearly and audience.
I really like how you kept it short and simple, Bruce. Sometimes shorter is better and you fit so many new approaches into this blog. Thanks for your input!
If we hear the word prisoner today we think of orange suits, chains, and cell blocks. Plato had a different idea of prisoners over 2000 years ago. He thought that we are all prisoners or all once were. People can be manipulated or think that they know it all. Plato was trying to tell his students in life there will be problems. They will feel different emotions but that they will set their path. A person can choose their own path based off of their attitude. He helps his students understand his meaning through an allegory. Plato first starts by painting a picture, he addresses many different important details to make whoever is reading the piece feel they are in the cave as a prisoner. He uses his teacher, Socrates, as the teaching figure in the allegory. Plato makes his teacher question to the student, Glaucon, making sure he is engaged and following along. The questions were rhetorical or didn’t need to be answered. He forces the readers figure out the meaning behind the words early in the story. It is a way to get the minds of the readers to start thinking. The main part of the picture he first paints is the more we lack knowledge or don’t try to gain knowledge the more we are prisoners. He is trying to tell his students to try and learn because we all have the ability but some are just to scared or to arrogant to realize. He took his philosophy and put them into a story that his students could understand. When stuck in the cave they were blind to all the opportunities placed before them not knowing what they could have. Then he has a prisoner who make the trip out of the cave to educate himself. He now knows having education and being intelligent is a act of will power and is open to all people who can just try to get past what they know. Now Plato has all the readers pumped up and ready to learn more but he isn’t finished yet. Socrates tells Glaucon what many parents or coaches say to successful athletes, that once you are in the light sometimes you have to go back down in the darkness to help others or just remember your roots. The reason he says this is so that the Glaucon knows not to be selfish, but to be humble, and most of all go back and help others experience the light. The allegory of going back into the cave to me represents the student becoming the teacher. I believe Plato had added this part because he was once a prisoner until Socrates, his teacher, brought him out into the light. Now Plato is doing his job of going back into the darkness to show others the light by teaching them what he already knows. Hundreds of centuries later Plato’s allegory still brings people to the light. Plato still is like the prisoner trying to get people to see the light every time someone reads the “Allegory of the Cave". He helps us understand the circle of not just getting to the top but helping other get there as well. He understood way back then that education was there for everyone, but hard work and a positive attitude is what gets people to the desired light, success.
Plato’s allegory of the cave sheds light onto many aspects in society. The main idea in his story of Socrates and Glaucon is that society is like a cave or prison. Within this prison we see the people that make up our lives being chained to a wall. As they watch the shadows of life passing by, they are on autopilot. They do not use their full capabilities to see the truth in these shadows. They have become ignorant and brainwashed by the figures and are so far locked in to this way of life that even turning around to look at the truths is impossible due to the chains around their necks. Humans as a whole are ignorant and manipulated easily by events or people that are highly praised in the world. If we truly look at these concepts, we can see through all of the made up and outrageous lies. To do so, we must face truths that form these better understandings. These truths are sometimes not so pretty to look at as the figures within the shadows of our minds. As we break out of the prison and come into the light, we squint and turn away at the sight. The bright light of truth is hard to look at in all it’s entirety when we first step away from the darkness. As our eyes become adjusted, we can look upon situations with more ease. We may never fully look into the source if this light, similar to never fully looking at the sun. We only take small and quick glances at the sun to form an idea of what it looks like. The truth is this way, too. We can only see the truth if we face the consequences of possibly going blind to them. Although now since we have formed our truths and seen the light of day, we have the desire to share it with others. As we travel back into the darkness of the cave, our eyes squint and flinch similarly to the way they did when we first saw the light. Once we have faced the darkness again head on we must decide to go back to the chains or to help others come into the light. The hesitation of others sometimes deters our sense of enlightenment, but no matter how many people flutter away from the truth, we can know in our minds that reality is not at all what society makes it out to be. The allegory of the cave shows us how enlightenment can be hard to face. Truth is only a matter of how far we let our minds wonder. And sharing these tough concepts with others is truly our purpose.
I do agree with you that yes, society is definitely like a cave, but in general I feel as if life in general is a cave because let's face it we don't know everything. I'm glad you brought up the oppression and manipulation and that once people are faced towards the truth they're simple ignorant or dumbfounded by the ideas that they discover. The latest news event similar to this is what happened in the church and Christians in disbelief. I understood that this is possible when you put someone in a position of power over many people and they're brainwashed into respecting them and trusting them, it's just preparing them to be taken advantage of. I'm not saying that all priests or authoritative figures are bad, I'm saying that although you should teach your children respect, you shouldn't paint someone to be a figure that is never wrong. I would also like to establish that this has been happening forever now, it's just that people have been in the "shadows" about it, without social media and someone finally revealing to Christians what is happening behind closed doors no one would have ever found out about this. I dislike the church allowing these types of actions by paying off the parents and children behind closed doors and then moving the priests away just for them to do it again, it's disgusting how they used to treat these issues. I'm glad that finally an authoritative church figure is coming out with these issues and naming who and when they did it that way parents can finally have a sense of security knowing that someone has their back and is willing to call out these monsters.
The allegroy of the cave is a story of leadership and understanding. Plato uses two characters, Socrates and Glaucon, to tell the story. They tell the story pf people chained up in a cave, beliving that shadows are reality. But, once they are unchained, they come to understand the lies that they been living in. People live in darkness sometimes for their whole life. They don't understand about the truth of life, so they end up living in the shadows of these objects, just going along with life. They don't want to know more, they just want to get through life. They have no higher meaning to them. But some people want more, and so they become unchained and then come out of the cave. They are blinded by the truth, but then they come to understand the entire "scene" and the darkness people live in. The hard part of the story comes in now, the leadership part. You will want to share this enlightenment with others, but they won't listen or even understand what your talking about. You will try to tell them, but they just won't listen. Some will, and come to understand, but tohers will stay ignorant and will only believe the shadows. You can't change someone who won't listen, you just can't. If they don't listen, they will, by themselves, have to learn. This entire story amazing, and it shows that humans can be stupid and idiotic. But it's shows we have the ability to learn, and understand, and that's amazing. We will try to tell others about this learning, and that's the Magnum Opus of the story, the leadership of a person.
Imagine being stuck in a cave your whole life, not being able to see anything except for shadows on the wall. The shadows you see are real life images, but also things you have never known. You’re tied by chains to a wall, unable to move, and forced to look at these images forever, until something unexpected happens. This resembles how all humans are in their early life. The question is, how were we brought out of this cave and introduced to the real world of complex society? Plato opens the story by having Socrates ask Glaucon a series of questions. These question allow for the reader to step back, and ask themselves the same questions. It makes the story more lively and a little easier to follow along with. This story is not meant to be an enjoyable read that only takes a few minutes to read, rather it is supposed to make the reader think about what they are actually reading. Plato then continues by having Socrates tell us the story in a way that we can imagine it for ourselves. The picture shown to us also helps us to analyze and see what Socrates is talking about. He uses the image to show us how the people in the cave are being tricked into thinking that what they are living is true reality. This is how Plato says that we lived out lives when we were younger. Being kept away from reality for the sake of our maturity. He explains to us the importance of the ability to learn and take in information. Then continues to to tell us how important it is that we use the information we know, to enlighten the rest of the human race. After Plato teaches about the use of imagery, he tells us how we need not be in the light for all of our lives, but to retreat into the cave and tell those who have not seen the real world what it is like. To be completely enlightened and wise, you must be humble and open to new ideas. After receiving as much information as possible, we must go on the teach younger generations about the safeties and dangers of the real world. After reading this story, I believe that each and every human has the ability to learn so much more than we already know, but we just have to be open to everything. Sometimes there might be diversity and opinions of others that we don’t like, but we must attempt to see where they are coming from before we end up with a conclusion. The story is a good example of being a leader and informing those who have not been introduced to the light.
I like how you took a personal view of being stuck in the cave. I also think it is neat that you mentioned being humble is an important part of enlightenment and being wise.
I enjoyed reading your analysis, Stephen. I like how you mention that Plato uses rhetorical questions and imagery. This helps to put his views into a simpler and easier way to understand for the reader. Personally, I had not really thought of the cave as life before we are introduced into society when we mature. As I am sure you know, the cave can also be an allegory for more than just that, but rather, anything that we can be enlightened about.
Platos allegory of the cave represents a philosophical enlightenment that portrays a conversation between two characters in order to tell a story. In today’s world, we view prisoners as people held in a prison for the punishment of their crime, however, Plato viewed everyone as prisoners thousands of years ago. He believed people were afraid to know the truth and were afraid to come out of the cave and face the real world, which is still true today. He was a teacher who told a story by using rhetorical strategies and until this day has taught his students a life lesson. Plato’s first strategy is using a teacher, Socrates, to address and question the student who in this case is Glaucon. Socrates teaches Glaucon and after almost every short “lesson” he asks if Glaucon understands or agrees. By using rhetorical questions throughout the story, Plato makes the reader think about the true meaning of each lesson or part of the story. Another reason for using questions in the story is to split up the information. Plato represents a large amount of information throughout the story that is hard to understand, therefore, questions can split the text up and give the reader time to process and learn from his words. The second and most important strategy in my eyes, is the use of imagery throughout the whole story. Plato is constantly putting the image of a cave with prisoners in it in our head. The reader pictures the prisoners that cannot turn their head playing a kind of “game” watching the shadows. The audience realizes the prisoners in the cave are all of us human beings today, afraid to leave the cave and afraid to face the truth. By using imagery, Plato teaches us that we can all achieve knowledge and good things in life if we go out of our comfort zone. By using the prisoner who leaves the cave and is blinded and then returns back to the cave and is blinded again he creates an intense image in our heads. Imagery is an important strategy in every story. The last strategy used, is a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos. He used reason, logos, in order to give the reader a reason to want to understand the story and meaning of it. He also used ethos, credibility, to give himself, humans, and other teachers credit for influencing his story and teachings. Lastly, he used pathos, emotion, to interest the readers in understanding and fulfilling the meaning of the story. He wants humans to go out into the world and stop being afraid of the truth and afraid of what others think of you. Do not crawl back into the cave once your out of it. Many years later, here we are learning from Plato’s example and being enlightened each and every day. Everyone can reach their final goals of enlightenment by working hard and understanding Plato’s works. His use of two characters telling a story of light and truth came to be one of the most read rhetorical arts.
Wow Emily, that is an amazing rhetorical analysis. My only problem would be when you stated, “Do not crawl back into the cave once your out of it.” It’s our duty to go back to where there is no truth an try to bring truth to the people. Other then that, it was great.
Philosophist, Plato, in his story, "Allegory of the Cave," portrays the idea that humans remain in ignorance until they are enlightened by being brought out of the symbolic cave. Plato's purpose is to reveal that humans need to see both sides, the light and the shadow, and ask whether or not the truth should be shared with others. He adopts an informative tone to convince others that this is the only way to understand the full truth. Plato begins the Allegory of the Cave by establishing a cave where the people inside are oppressed and can only see one way. He appeals to the readers emotions by establishing the oppression similar to how the reader is oppressed and forced into subgroups by society due to no longer conforming to the ideas set upon people. Plato takes advantage of the oppression in order to propose new ideas and establish that there is a way out of the cave and to see the truth, but it isn't easy. The ideas proposed by Plato gets the reader to wonder whether or not they're being oppressed and gives them the idea that maybe they truly don't know the whole truth. Next, Plato introduces what happens when the prisoners are no longer oppressed and are free to do what they wish, but are pained because of it. By doing this Plato allows the reader to feel the same freedom that the prisoner might have, but being stuck by pain because of what they discover. Plato uses the pain as an example of learning the truth about anything one is ignorant to and asking the question of whether or not it is worth it. The question asked by Plato has the reader wondering how painful the truth really is. Plato ends his story once prisoners are liberated with the question of whether or not the enlightenment should be shared between one another. Plato plays with the emotions of the reader by giving them the same feeling of weakness into strength they experienced once they moved out of the house and were exposed to how the real world works. The weakness and strength they feel is how they felt towards their parents once they moved out, they didn't know how to do anything for themselves until they absolutely had to learn. This leaves the reader wondering whether or not they should share with others what they have learned through this process and other life experiences. Plato brings the reader through a journey questioning ideas and their supposed "truth" and whether or not it should be shared. This leaves the reader a new outlook on life on whether or not to trust what is infront of them and what they don't know.
As we all know, the “Allegory of the Cave” can be compared to some of the actions going in today’s society. Plato, the author, used two characters by the names of Socrates and Glaucon to tell the story. Socrates continues to ask Glaucon questions as he is describing to him what is happening in the story. Glaucon never really answers these questions, as he reflects on them. Socrates is telling the story of prisoners chained down in the cave, and who don’t really know what other things in life there is. The prisoners come to know the shadows they see as reality and don’t try to think or learn anything new about where they are or their surroundings. The photo that was shown to us also portrays one of the previous prisoners standing outside the cave after he had found his way out of the darkness, into the light. The one who found his way eventually tries to help those still chained but doesn’t really get anywhere with them. This is also a big part in today’s want to share good news or tell people about the good things, but they tune you out or even talk behind your back when you’re gone. Most people will just keep tuning in to all the things they have known their whole life, and only a few certain people will listen and learn. When someone is enlightened, they pass it in to others, and obviously Plato understood that as he passed this story on, as we are to pass it on to learn.
In today’s modern American society ignorance can be difficult to combat as society distorts our perspective of the truth. The Allegory of the Cave was a way to relay the importance of seeking out truth in the world. Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave provides a critique to society to inform the people of the plague of ignorance that controls them and to persuade free thinking individuals of their responsibility to inform. Socrates was attempting to show Glaucon the effects of ignorance within society, to impress the importance of education and higher thinking. Socrates modeled ignorance in society through the representation of the prisoners. The ignorance of prisoners was symbolized by their inability to change persecution. They were chained up so to only see what was right in front of them. It was not just the fault of the prisoners. The world is manipulating the prisoners to see the one perspective and to make sure they keep facing the one way. Only when the prisoners free themselves that they can learn the truths and flaws of the real world and can improve it for the sake of others. Socrates uses The Allegory of the Cave to inform, persuade, and criticize society. Socrates used The Allegory of the Cave as a teaching devise to inform Glaucon of Socrates views of societal thinking and one mindedness. At the end of the excerpt, Socrates attempts to persuade Glaucon of the importance to descend back into the cave and to try to lead others back to the truth. He was explaining that it is the responsibility of the people who saw the truth to bring others to see the truth too to eliminate the ignorance within society. The Allegory of the Cave is a critique of the society where they lived where knowledge is of lesser value than a days labor. Socrates allegory of the cave was initially intended for Glaucon. However, Plato’s capturing of The Allegory of the Cave was intended to help the society to seek out its own flaws. With Socrates used the imagery of the cave to impress upon a pupil, Glaucon, the importance of responsibility of scholars. The intent of Plato spreading the message was to ignite change within the given society. Even though these people were the intended audience there is a third party, the people of today. In modern day we need to be much more careful with our news sources. You can use one resource to receive information but that is making you more like one of the people at the bottom of the cave, you only see what society shows you. Instead people need to broaden their perception and go beyond what is in front of them. Plato beckons us to search and climb to find the truth.
Grace, I enjoyed reading your rhetorical analysis and I was interested in the point where you mention that The Allegory of the Cave is a critique of society and how false information can put you back into the cave again. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
The Allegory of the Cave teaches an important lesson about finding the truth in life, and how the truth will set those who seek it free. Through the Allegory of the Cave, Plato displayed significant examples of rhetoric. The techniques he used made the story relatable, understandable, and visual. Plato uses the Allegory of the Cave to teach that humans hide from the truth and by this they can be ignorant. To draw in the reader, Plato first uses a respectable, intelligent philosopher as the narrator. Socrates, Plato’s teacher, is teaching Glaucon the lesson, while Glaucon asks many questions. By using Socrates as the narrator, the audience is inclined to believe the story from the start. Because Socrates is one of the most established philosophers of all time, people are naturally inclined to believe his word. By using Socrates as the narrator, Plato draws in the audience. Another aspect of the Allegory of the Cave that is brought to the readers attention immediately is that the story is set up as a conversation. Plato shows Socrates telling Glaucon the Allegory of the Cave while Glaucon asks many questions. This format makes the writing understandable and relatable. The reader is drawn in by the unique format and understands the question and answers easily. The questions that Glaucon asks are relatable, and the realizations Glaucon has are universal. The vivid imagery also plays a major role in the Allegory of the Cave. Socrates sets the scene by describing details of the setting. The light from the sun and the darkness of the cave are used as strong imagery to describe the truth and the ignorance many people live in. The shadows give those in the cave a glimpse of insight to the truth. The major uses of imagery in the Allegory of the Cave make the story come to life. By using an authoritative figure as the narrator, a conversational setup to keep the reader connected, and vivid imager, Plato scripted an exemplary classic with many examples of rhetoric inside. He used Socrates as the narrator to make it a scene of an authority figure instructing a student. The conversational storyline keeps the reader connected. Vivid imagery brings the story to life and helps people to truly see the topic at hand. Though these major examples of rhetoric, Plato created a fantastic work that has become a classic.
I really like how you mentioned the link between the darkeness of the cave and the light of the sun to the ignorance and truth of people’s lives. I agree that the imagery provided a sense of life to the story. I liked your points!
Allegory of the Cave is a story being told by two main people, Glaucon and Socrates. It begins with people being chained to a wall where they can only see the shawdows which the prisoners believe to be real people, they think its reality, it is the the only thing they have ever known. As the prisoners could only see in one direction. Plato saw everyone as prisoners, they were blinded by the truth however in todays world you are only a prisoner if you do something wrong and are put in jail. Plato uses some rhetorical strategys through the story. Imagery is one of the biggest ones he uses. It shows us the horrible conditions that these prisoners were put into. Plato induces many emotions through imagery such as anger and confusion when the prisoners are tied to the wall forced to only look one way. It relates into todays would as many people just look one way and are afraid to look at all aspects at life. They are afriad to get some bad news, or something not in there favor they don’t want to hear the truths of the world. When they are able to see what the world is really like, they are afriad of what they see. The truth of the world gives them pain, which makes them want to go back to there comfort zone, which is the cave. He also used rhetoric strategys through questions. He uses this for Socrates to explain to the readers the situation the prisoners are being put through. It allows us to understand what is going on in the story. Also, Plato uses a lot of references to “The Cave” which I believe is just a figure of speech for the prisoners, of us being afraid of the truth. Platos was a teacher, and his final lesson is that of enlightenment. He wants us to not be afraid of the truth, and maybe even to take some chances, dont be afraid to step out of our comfort zones a little.
One of the big things I believe in is doing things that are out of my comfort zone. That being said, I really enjoyed how you referenced that in your blog. That was a very important piece of your topic!
There can be many different takeaways and viewpoints from this story. It all depends on the type of person, I believe, in regards to how this story is viewed. The story is centered around a very one-way conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, in which Socrates uses his rhetorical skills to influence Glaucon’s point of view of this “cave”. Throughout the conversation, he asks rhetorical questions that pretty much only have one response. That response being whatever Socrates wants Glaucon to think. In my opinion, this story does a remarkable job of relating this conversation to the way most people in our world think and act today. There are too many simple minded people in this world who are very easily influenced by the opinions of the higher ups. Glaucon symbolizes the people of the world today and Socrates is obviously the higher ups. Also, the action of imprisonment in the story is not as it seems. The first thought that comes to mind when you think about prison is a jail cell with handcuffs and a crappy situation. However, this prison in the story is more of a hypothetical prison. It symbolizes what is holding us back as people in this world together. Another strong allegorical sense in this story occurs with the light at the top of the cave. These people have been so simple minded for so long that they needed to “see the light” and open up to what’s truly going on with the world. They needed to experience the truth. When someone finally escapes the “cave”, which is truly the darkness and the falicies of the world, they see the truths or the “light”. I truly hope that whenever someone reads this story that they truly understand the meaning behind it.
The Allegory of the Cave by Plato is surrounded by the idea that humans perceive what they want to perceive based on their drive to gain more knowledge. He used the imagery of prisoners in a cave that saw images on the wall presented before them. These images were sculpted onto a stick, which were held by the guards in the cave. The images were reflected as shadows upon the cave wall due to the fire in front of the sectioning wall between the prisoners and guards. This raised wall acted as a screen in which marionettes use puppets to portray a story and the prisoners were the audience. The guards were hidden so that the prisoners could not see or acknowledge any other type of being except those prisoners beside them. Another aspect of the imagery that Plato provided is the enlightenment of one of the escaped prisoners. He sees the world for what it truly is instead of being mentally and physically blinded. The escaped prisoner knew nothing other than what he thought was reality depicted through forms on the wall. This whole imagery displays today’s society. Some people may become brainwashed or “chained down” to what they perceive to be true. Politics can share relation to this story in a variety of ways. The “prisoners” or believers of some politicians may be accustomed to their ideas, in which they do not want to accept any other input from others. They know what they know and that is all they think they need. Instead of “escaping” or looking for more, they do not see the bigger picture or take any other realities into consideration. In order to accept new ideas, we must be aspire to be like the escaped prisoner. The drive for knowledge is an important one that must never be put to a halt. Just like the trapped prisoners, if we do not put forth the effort to see the whole picture, then nothing will become of us. We will be “trapped in a cave” for the rest of our lives. Facing the truth may not always be what is wanted, but we must be accepting for better understanding. Being enlightened is an amazing experience that should be felt often. The more accepting people are as a whole, the better understanding they have for what reality truly is. Although, it is not anyone’s fault for not accepting new ideas because they have never been taught or shown how to deal with an enlightening experience. Once they become open-minded, they are no longer blinded.
I really like how you mentioned that some people are not very accepting of the way other people do things. Yet, if they were just think how different our society would be.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is a deeply meaningful rendition of his perception of mankind. The world is displayed as the dark cave that holds prisoners captive. The prisoners are actually the humans that are too afraid to break free of their chains and search for something else. The only sense of entertainment the prisoners get to experience is their own human experiences displayed on the wall in front of them. The Allegory of the Cave brings peoples’ attention towards the fact they should stop living in their sheltered comfort zones and branch out to explore great big, beautiful things. When one prisoner manages to escape the clutches of his chains, he discovered the world beyond the eerie cave. At first he is blinded by the light of the sun, but eventually his eyes adjust and, as expected, he is quickly enlightened by the fact that there is such beauty in a world that he has never seen before. He soon realizes that the shadows on the wall he has seen his whole life are just mere shadows, not actual objects like he thought. The prisoner has a moment of realization and learns that the objects he sees outside of the cave have shadows, but they are not shadows themselves. Since he was brainwashed into believing that the shadows were the actual objects he was seeing for so long, he had a difficult time believing that there was a truth to it and he was being manipulated. Similarly today, social media has a huge influence over what people believe. It can brainwash almost anyone into believing something that is not true, especially for their benefit. Just like when the prisoner left the cave and was blinded, he had a hard time readjusting to the cave. He could not see the shadows as he once used to because he experienced real objects for once. The enslaved prisoners were still brainwashed into believing that there was nothing beyond the cave because of their stubbornness to change their beliefs about anything. This is especially true in today’s world considering the ignorance of mankind. Not many people will break out of the habits they already know to learn the truth. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is the perfect allegory for today’s society. There is always one person that thinks outside the box, but until everyone else experiences it that person becomes a laughing stock. The freed prisoner stepped outside of the box and learned about beautiful, amazing things. We should be like the prisoner in the way that he did not just listen to the opinions of others. He was skeptical of what he saw and did not limit his thought box to solely things he knew already. He was willing to reconsider things and in return he discovered something more incredible than he could ever imagine.
I like the points that you made when comparing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave to today’s society. This made me think of things I haven’t before and I think you did a really good job.
The Allegory of the Cave is about prisoners who are trapped in an underground cave. All they have ever known was shadows that reflected off the wall. Yet, they actually never even knew that it took light to reflect off something to get a shadow. Chained to only look forward and watch shadows shows us this was their reality. This was until one day when one prisoner was released and faced the fire. Through much pain, everything started making sense. Everything became real.
As we read this book we begin to put ourselves in his position. We develop an image in our heads of what it would be like to live like this. We after ask ourselves if we too hold ourselves back because we only want to know so much. The writer is trying to show us that the prisoners are us sometimes and that needs to change. The readers gain a feel of guilt.
The title of the book “Allegory of the Cave” allows the reader to begin searching for the meaning as they read. It gives the book a reason. They know for a fact that an allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden message. This helps Aristotle draw an audience to his book.
A line in the story says “Better to be the poor servant of a poor master, and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner?” Socrates is asking the prisoner what he would rather have, and the one option is clearly better. This allows the prisoner to place his trust in him and go to the other world that he was not able to see for all this time.
Allegory of the Cave relates back to our society today in so many ways. Students, employers, and citizens sometimes only go so far to reach their goal. When they have a setback or get “trapped” they give up and just look at what they could be doing if they would continue. Aristotle is trying to show us that if we continue to reach our goals and not let setbacks shut us down, greatness will come. Keep pushing, it’s worth it.
I enjoy how you relate the old English novel to scenarios in modern times. Also, I particularly enjoyed your outlook on the symbolism within the book. Well done!
The Allegory of the Cave is a story about enlightenment. In it, Aristotle is trying to teach this through the actual example of a cave. We are all prisoners to something in this world. This is why the Allegory of the Cave is so relevant in today’s world and why it is also everywhere in the media. The Allegory of the Cave is all about leaving ones own personal “cave” that is hindering us from finding the truth. There are many patterns in The Allegory of the Cave that make it a perfect example of good rhetoric. Aristotle begins the story by establishing ethos with the fact that he is a teacher who clearly has a good understanding of his subject. He then uses pathos to appeal to human emotion by paining a vivid image of the cave and the world outside the cave. Then, Aristotle uses logos by showing us all of the reasons why it is practical for us to come out of the cave. In using ethos, pathos, and logos, Aristotle begins to set up his argument while the reader is already enticed by his words. Aristotle also asks a lot of rhetorical questions throughout The Allegory of the Cave. These are such a good rhetorical strategy becuase rather than make the reader question what he is saying, Aristotle is guiding the mind into his way of thinking. These rhetorical questions almost make the reader think he or she has discovered a certain thing on their own, but really Aristotle is just continuing to successfully persuade the reader into his way of thinking. Another rhetorical strategy Aristotle uses throughout the Allegory of the Cave is imagery. This is also an extremely important strategy. As mentioned before, the imagery also ties to the element of pathos. The imagery is Aristotle’s way of taking a complicated subject and bringing it down to our level so it can be understood. It is easier to imagine being in the cave with the prisoners and the blinding sensation as the cave is exited than hearing it a more complicated way. With imagery, Aristotle is sort of killing two birds with one stone- he brings the topic down to to our level while speaking to our pathos. The Allegory of the Cave is something each person should read because it applies to everyone. No one can know absolutely everything, so each person has their own “cave.” The Allegory of the Cave has a lot to teach about enlightenment and the pursuit for the truth. The Allegory of the Cave is a perfect example of proper rhetoric and continues to have a huge impact on society since the time it was written.
In the Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners begin at rock bottom and do not even realize that they are not seeing the truth, but rather, just shadows of different figures. There are lots of ways in which Plato uses to explain human reality, as well as how they can stop looking at the shadows of reality and start looking at the real thing. Ethos, pathos, and logos, imagery, and dialect are a few of the skills that he uses in order to get his point across. Ethos, pathos, and logos are used within the Allegory of the cave in different ways to appeal to everyone in a rhetorical sense. Ethos is used when Plato says that this is his option. He is stating that he could be right or wrong in his thought. This gives him more credibility than if he were to say that this is the only possible explanation. Next, Plato also uses pathos, which appeals to one’s emotions. He does this by presenting the allegory as if the reader was the prisoner inside of the cave, resisting the information and the want to be enlightened. Lastly, logos, which is a more logical persuasion, is used. Plato uses logos through the use of asking simple questions with obvious answers to break down his view. Then, he would proceed to combine one truth with another to get yet another truth and so forth. Imagery is also used by Plato as a rhetorical tool in the Allegory of the Cave. Imagery is used to create a picture within the reader’s mind. He creates this picture more specifically through the shadows. when the prisoner finally turns their head and looks toward the light for the first time, it is hard to adjust. They see the blinding reality for the first time. It is easy for the reader to relate to the blinding sun at first before their eyes learn to adjust. The imagery continues when the now enlightened individual has to see the darkness once again. This tactic paints a picture of what the cave looks like in the struggles for the prisoner to become enlightened. Plato uses conversation as a way to hide himself trying to explain his believes out front. Through conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, the reader may not even realize that Plato is explaining his opinion on how enlightenment works. Dialect helped to make the explanation easier to understand with more meaning behind it. Through the tactic of question and answer, Plato is answering possible questions that the reader may have on his allegory. The questions are broken down into simpler rhetorical questions which aids greatly in allowing the reader to interpret the entirety of the story. Many rhetorical tactics are used within the Allegory of the Cave. The use of ethos, pathos, logos, imagery, and dialect are just a few of them. All of these skills allow the reader to understand Plato’s allegory and beliefs without completely realizing that they may have possibly been persuaded into his way of thought, as he presents it as just a possibility. With that, Plato shows the reader a sense of how enlightenment can work and helps them to get their own neck to begin turning to the light.
People are bound to their beliefs because they know no other way of living. It is certain that Plato understood this concept, and that is why he wrote The Allegory of the Cave. In an attempt to shed some light on wisdom, this story summarizes the paradox that prevents many ideas of enlightenment from ever reaching the entire community. To provide an understanding of the lack of enlightenment, Plato describes the cave as a dark, dingy room. The only knowledge that the beings in the cave know are the shadows on the wall before them. These shadows, in actuality, are the simple ideas that people tend to unanimously agree upon. The only way to gain enlightenment, according to the story, is to move out of the sense of comfort that nobody wants to leave. In this story, the blindness that results from the movement between darkness and light is the discomfort. The once chained prisoner, being forced through the pain and discomfort, makes his way through the cave until the light of day is present. This journey is the breakthrough to new wisdom, and it teaches the reader that new ideas, even though they may contradict present ideas or comfort, could ultimately bring the most joy to the world. Plato uses crossroads in his story to add an emotional connection between the reader and the prisoners. The connection is used to train the mind of the reader to hope for the best outcome for those in the cave, which would ultimately be a uniformed enlightenment. When the prisoners in the cave disregard the newly discovered knowledge of the escapee, it creates a feeling of disgust. The disgust is used to change the reader’s mind about the rejection of new ideas simply because he or she does not see in the same light. The allegorical format of this story is meant to teach individuals something about themselves. Plato does not want people to be afraid of change, and he knows change could possibly lead to a happier society. He writes these allegories so he can ease this system of thinking into the minds of others. He also uses a question and answer format between Socrates, a well known philosopher, and his student Glaucon to assert the credibility of the story. Plato’s format of writing was performed in order to provide the best system of learning to the reader. Changing the ideology that prevents new ideas and enlightenment from being spread to society was Plato’s motive for writing The Allegory of the Cave. By providing this story, Plato convinces that a new world can be discovered only when looking with a new light.
Good job Regis. You did a nice job getting your point across. Although I disagree with your statement that “people are bound to their beliefs because they know no other way of living”. I know it is true for some but using the word people is to vast. I believe some people are like this but there are many who are trying to find themselves like the prisoner who made the journey through the cave. People may like their way of living but strive for something even greater. Other than that, nice job.
If you read the entire first paragraph, not just the first line, I wrote that Plato understood what was happening, so he wrote the story in an attempt to change the paradox of people being bound to their beliefs.
Yes I see that, I am trying to tell you that if you agreed with your first statement people would have just disregarded what Plato had written about the cave anyway. I am just say most people are comfortable with their beliefs but not by any means bound to them meaning not willing to change or Plato would have never written the allegory of the cave in the first place because no one would have changed. The people were not bound so they took up the example of the person in the cave more freely.
Plato simply, yet obscurely writes of many symbolic topics. Within the first part of the story a character in the book known as Socrates is narrating a series of hypothetical scenarios to another character, Glaucon. Centrally located within the scenarios that the character of Socrates presents are many symbolic figures. In fact, the character himself is named Socrates in order to establish the characters leadership and knowledge. There is an abundance of symbolism throughout the story. For example, Socrates refers to the humans in the cave as prisoners. Plato is able to make this connection that the humans are prisioners of society. Just like when a prisoner sees what is outside of the cave, he explains how the outside world is blinding. This symbolizes how the outside world is truth. Truth is sometimes refreshing but sometimes we also repel truth and choose not to be associated with it. The Alagory of the Cave has endless symbolism, that of which cannot all be mentioned in a short essay. However, the most interesting part of the book is when the prisoner returns to the cave. When he does so he persistently try’s to enlighten his fellow prisoners of the outside world. The things he mentions to them comes as a shock and they choose not to believe them. In this scene, the returning prisoner acts as a philosopher in modern times, trying to explain to society why things are the way they are, and what may come of the future. There is vivid imagery throughout the entire story. Furthermore, this story is now a classsical old english novel. This story has been passed down for decades mainly because of the recognization that our society is forever evolving. However, the way that our society is ever changing may pose potential problems and conflicts.
Your use of vocabulary was very sophisticated and the entire prompt was well written. I especially like how you brought society in at the end and said how there could be further problems in the further. Overall, nice job!
The Allegory of the Cave is a passage, written by Plato, in which readers encounter a conversation between Socrates and his student Glaucon. Within this text, Plato presents a mirror image of today's world compared to philosophy itself. The way he addresses his audience is quite exotic. Plato speaks through a teacher and a student, so Socrates being the "author" and the Glaucon being the "audience", to resemble him, the author, teaching his audience, the human race.
During this lesson, Socrates tries to make Glaucon understand that his perception of reality is not actually reality itself. He uses the strategy of symbolism by preaching about a cave that holds shackled prisoners who are forced to watch shadows. These shadows are all that the people are exposed to, so therefore, it becomes their reality. This works because Galucon knows that there is so much more to the world than merely shadows. He understands that there are things such as animals, water, and buildings.
Plato uses this allegory because the readers, can see themselves as Glaucon and know that there is more to the world. However, the major point that the author emphasizes is that the human race is not Glaucon, but they are the prisoners. When dissecting the text, it is easy to notice that reality is basically a habit. Think of reality as a box that holds everything one has learned and witnessed throughout the years. By picturing this box, the mind knows that there is more space and things outside of the box, but it is a matter of opening the box that is the real hassle. In a philosopher's mind, there is no box, for it has already been opened and forgotten because they now see the true reality. Socrates mentions that a prisoner breaks free from his chains and is blinded by the light when he steps out of the cave. He soon adjusts and fully acknowledges true reality. When he comes back to the cave and tells his fellow prisoners about it. They call him delusional because they have not yet opened their box.
The audience at this point feels more enlightened to what reality itself is. They feel more connected and motivated to free themselves from the shackles and find their way out of the cave. They now understand that Plato wants them to open their eyes to new things, rather than being so close-minded. He wants the human race to stop putting concrete things underneath abstract terms, such as beauty, because that is not reality. That is habit.
I really enjoyed your own version of the Allegory of the Cave by using a box. That could be used as a present-day allegory because Plato’s work can be considered a difficult read by some.
Everyday, people face their own caves whether they realize it or not. In the Allegory of the Cave, the cave is seen as a place where all of the prisoners are stuck. Even after the outside world is revealed, they are still chained to the cave. They have to watch life while being unable to live it. However, the cave is their life. Once removed, they would have to adjust to everything they’ve never known before. Being used to only seeing the shadows they wouldn’t know how to make out a bright blue sky, green grass, or red apples. The life they knew would be a distant memory, and they would now have to find a way to live in this new world. That being said, having to go back to the cave could be even harder or the easiest thing in the world. Adjusting to something new is very difficult. It’s always easier to go back to what you knew before. However, once you’ve already adjusted you might not want to go back to what you knew before. Now that you know what you can have, why would you want that all to be taken away from you? Would losing everything really be worth getting your old life back?
One of that most famous concepts in philosophy is the “Allegory of the Cave” written by Plato. References to “The Cave” has been found in art, music, philosophy, and teaching strategies. It is absolutely remarkable that only a few pages of dialogue, written thousands of years ago can have such a huge influence on the way that we think, teach and learn. “So what is this ‘Allegory of the Cave’ anyway, one might ask. That, is no doubt, a truly important question. In order to understand this Allegory better one must first answer the questions of: what is “the Cave”, how does Plato present us with the dialogue, and how it can be applied to life today.
“So what is it anyway?”, one might ask. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is a short piece of dialogue in which the famed philosopher, Socrates compares the process of enlightenment to his student, Glaucon. Socrates paints a picture of a prisoner trapped into the cave where the only thing the man can see is his shadows, the only thing that he believes is real. When he is set free, he leaves the caverns discovers the world is much larger that he thought that it originally was. This is akin to when a person reaches enlightenment and achieves knowledge. Their worldview is expanded so drastically that they may not be able to absorb all the information at once. That is the simple and short version of “The Cave”. The second question is how Plato convinces the audience to take him seriously. Plato makes the text accessible to the common man. Plato uses the dialogue format so that information is absorbed slowly so not to confuse the reader. The conversation reveals the details of the story in the natural place. He uses imagery to present an example that everyone can understand. Plato does not overcomplicate the story by adding in details that do not matter. He uses a simple, clear style that can be easily understood. He also uses the logical explanations to draw the reader in and make what he is saying reasonable and therefore, to convince the reader about his idea.
The “Allegory of the Cave” is extremely relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It describes the journey we take in our lives to became educated. The themes of enlightenment, education, and coming out of the darkness. Every person has to go through the experience of learning about a certain subject and having their worldview expanded. Some people are still in the cave, still believing in false information. Some people are out of the cave, but are so overwhelmed with the information that they cannot see yet. Everyone goes through the journey that the prisoner takes, many times in their lives.
“The Allegory of the Cave” is an important piece of literature for good reasons. It reminds us that going out of the cave isn’t something that people do once in our lives. Humans continually try to work ourselves out of the many caves of darkness, and into the light of knowledge.
The Allegory of the Cave is a piece of rhetoric written by the philosopher Plato. The Allegory of the Cave is Book 7 in The Republic. Plato is attempting to convince the audience into believing that his opinions about enlightenment are true. Plato uses many techniques to slowly convince the reader without letting him or her know.
The first technique that Plato uses that sets the scene is a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon. Socrates was also a well-respected philosopher that citizens looked up to. The work is presented as Socrates telling Glaucon about this Allegory of the Cave and painting a mental picture into his head. This method made the readers of that era to think to themselves, “Well if Socrates is stating this, then it must be true.”
Within the conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, Plato makes Socrates ask rhetorical questions. As many people should know, the one who asks the questions has all the power in an argument. Thus, Socrates asking Glaucon rhetorical questions was slowly shifting his opinion to agree with Socrates’. A rhetorical question is a type of question that is not meant to be answered by the one receiving it because it is self explanatory. They are used to force the listener to agree with the opinion being presented.
A helpful method that Plato used to persuade the reader is painting a mental image. Attempting to persuade someone is almost impossible if they cannot picture the opinion presented in his or her head. Plato uses the right words at the right moments to make the picture clearer. The whole Allegory of the Cave is one big mental picture that was carefully written about to bring out even the most minute details. Plato possesses a skill of rhetoric that is unmatched because he is so good at manipulating words into images.
The Allegory of the Cave is widely known for its powerful persuasion methods. Even though only three practices were mentioned, Plato used over a handful of techniques to manipulate the mind for the better. The Allegory of the Cave was meant to tell and show readers what it is like to be enlightened and to stay enlightened. You could stay out of the cave even though it will be difficult at times for the hope of learning more, or you could reenter the cave and become ignorant to reality.
You wrote this very well, very easy to follow and comprehend. I especially like your point about rhetorical questions and that the one who asks the questions has the power.
The allegory of the cave was actually a very nice little story for me to read. I found it easy to understand and follow along with. I think it did a very good job of comparing enlightenment and where we live to the cave. I can almost feel what enlightenment means even though I'm not enlightened. And I noticed a couple themes that the writer used to make it so easy to understand.
The first thing is that it is an allegory, he doesn't try to explain enlightenment itself, he explains a comparison for it. This is very important when considering that enlightenment isn't something an unenlightened person could truly understand, or so I think, I can't really know. I think it is also important that he used the cave as the comparison, everyone knows what a cave is. Even if they haven't seen one, they can imagine it. I personally found the picture of the cave very helpful to having a picture in my mind and then the text was able to add more detail to that picture. Even without the picture, I think I could've gotten a pretty good picture of the cave myself.
Another thing I think was very important the was the pure detail that was described in the text. As I was saying, it was important to me that I get a good picture of what is being talked about in my head. This was very easy to do with the level of detail in the story. But not just detail describing the visual, but the whole idea of enlightenment was very well described with relation to the cave and the visible and invisible. So many small ideas were put into to each paragraph that really made each point seem relatable.
Finally, I think that the way the text is portrayed was able to help a lot. It was written as two people talking, the student and the teacher. The teacher explaining it to the student. While the student didn't really add anything to the story, it made Plato write it as though it was being explained, not just purely writing it in facts. Specifically, I think that it was being explained with positive reinforcement was important. This is how Socrates explained it how it was and then asked Glaucon that it was correct. He explained it in a way that is explaining it to the audience but in parts and making sure the student understood it as they went.
Every part of the text was made to be understood. Using several writing techniques, this was accomplished very successfully. The way it is written so that anyone can at least try to understand, the level of detail that is added in every section, and the way it is written to be understood all come together to form a very good and successful allegory.
The Allegory of the Cave is a very well known passage that expresses the severity of enlightenment. It was written by Plato as a way to educate the Western world. The story begins with Socrates expressing his views with Glaucon. Socrates refers to people being chained in a cave with only the ability to look forward into the shadows. Plato, through the text, tries to show that you must open yourself up to the light in order to become enlightened. Rhetoric that is heavily used is how awful the cave is made out to sound. Plato expresses that being trapped in the cave is horrible. Prisoners are physically chained there with an inability to move. This results in them becoming puppets. This reference is used because people are suffering when they really just need to break free and experience what is out there. Throughout the passage Socrates paints the picture of how wonderful life can be on the outside. Although people initially do not adjust ideally, they become liberated. When they become adjusted, the once prisoners are able to move and see the beauty. Physical objects and shadows are discovered which creates a whole new perspective. Socrates uses the wonderful rhetoric of creating an image for Glaucon to understand the point he is trying to make. This is method is defined as imagery, which is a very efficient method of persuasion. Socrates also persuades Glaucon by asking him rhetorical questions. Socrates held their conversations this way so he could hold the power. He would phrase things in the correct way that Glaucon had to agree with his thoughts. People tend to try to persuade you by making the information they are selling sound glorified. When the person the rhetor is talking to understands their picture, they grow the same views. Or at least they are pondered on deeply. Using rehetoric is a genius way to persuade people to see what you see. Socrates expresses how bad it is to be trapped in a cave. Once you emerge from the cave, and break out of the chains there is so much more to see. He uses very efficient methods to get his views across. The Allegory of the Cave is a way of persuasion to make people understand the importance of becoming enlightened. People can get scared and try to hide, or crawl back down into the cave, but this teaches you how truly beautiful it is in the light.
Today’s world is filled with prisoners, people who are ignorant and can easily be manipulated. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave he teaches his audience life issues, by allowing them to question the ideas that he is teaching them. He then takes this new information, that he as given his audience, and applies it to daily events and tells them how their life can be improved. Now, over two thousand years later these teachings still have an impact on our society.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to learn is to ask questions, and Plato understands this learning style. As the book begins, it is filled with numerous questions. Socrates continuously asks Glaucon if he is understanding and is able to picture the cave. He then goes on to ask Glaucon rhetorical questions about the cave. These questions are never answered by Glaucon, but they make the reader stop and reflect on the question being asked. They help develop the reads thoughts towards the ideas of enlightenment.
Plato has given the reader the ideas of enlightenment, now he puts the ideas in more relatable situations. He then takes these teachings and applies them to things that are already known. He puts the reader in the position of the prisoner and explains the journey to enlightenment in a different way. He also applies the teachings to being able to know and understand something. He explains the ability to learn is already in the soul and is not something that can be added by a teacher. Relating these things shows the the power of enlightenment is trapped inside the soul, but one most know and be willing to use it.
Plato has an audience that agrees, or has a better understanding of enlightenment, and tells them how to go forward and act upon it. He educated about the balance point, how one can not be in the light for to long. People need to be humbled and sent back into the cave. They have seen the goodness and the light and must go back and teach those who have not. Plato wants his readers to understand that there is a balance. For someone to be fully enlightened one must first be humble. They must be willing to go back into the cave and teach the great knowledge that they have received.
The power of enlightenment can move people to see new things. Plato understands this power and believes he need to pass it on. He makes his audience fully understands the idea by bring it into it their own life. He then takes this greater understanding and teaches them how to use it and not waste it. The world is filled with people who are stuck and unwilling to try new things. These are the people who need to be brought to the light, break away from the chains and ascend into the light.
Nice essay. I like your paragraph about already being able to learn. Well thought out.
DeleteJust Jacob posting early? More of you should try this. Beautiful Jacob!
ReplyDeleteAllegory of the Cave is one of those classics that have a place in the world everyday. This work is designed to show the reader "enlightenment". It has been used throughout history to demonstrate what someone may not be able to see without help. This is done through the use of a teacher and a student.
ReplyDeleteThe first, and most, obvious pattern is Socrates, the teacher, repeatedly asking Glaucon is he understands what he is trying to convey. This has two effects: it keeps the story from being monotonous, and it allows the reader to have a small break from the work to process what has been said. This allows a fuller understanding of the text that is necessary for something this mentally intense.
Plato's second tactic is to use imagery to better explain what is in his own mind. This is a strategy that has been used since the dawn of time to tell stories and keep records. Plato does this to show what exactly he means by a cave and the prisoners.By using this technique in this format, it appeals to two different ways of understanding text: reading and understanding through the words, and reading and understanding through the imagery. Plato's dual use of these techniques allows a wide range of scholars to understand his texts.
The combination of the previous two techniques work with incredible synergy. Creating mental breaks that allow the reader to fully understand the work while simultaneously creating a sort of "fourth dimension" for the mind, creates a very powerful system that can be read and understood by nearly and audience.
I agree that a more full understanding is needed to comprehend the story.
DeleteI really like how you kept it short and simple, Bruce. Sometimes shorter is better and you fit so many new approaches into this blog. Thanks for your input!
DeleteIf we hear the word prisoner today we think of orange suits, chains, and cell blocks. Plato had a different idea of prisoners over 2000 years ago. He thought that we are all prisoners or all once were. People can be manipulated or think that they know it all. Plato was trying to tell his students in life there will be problems. They will feel different emotions but that they will set their path. A person can choose their own path based off of their attitude. He helps his students understand his meaning through an allegory.
ReplyDeletePlato first starts by painting a picture, he addresses many different important details to make whoever is reading the piece feel they are in the cave as a prisoner. He uses his teacher, Socrates, as the teaching figure in the allegory. Plato makes his teacher question to the student, Glaucon, making sure he is engaged and following along. The questions were rhetorical or didn’t need to be answered. He forces the readers figure out the meaning behind the words early in the story. It is a way to get the minds of the readers to start thinking.
The main part of the picture he first paints is the more we lack knowledge or don’t try to gain knowledge the more we are prisoners. He is trying to tell his students to try and learn because we all have the ability but some are just to scared or to arrogant to realize. He took his philosophy and put them into a story that his students could understand. When stuck in the cave they were blind to all the opportunities placed before them not knowing what they could have. Then he has a prisoner who make the trip out of the cave to educate himself. He now knows having education and being intelligent is a act of will power and is open to all people who can just try to get past what they know.
Now Plato has all the readers pumped up and ready to learn more but he isn’t finished yet. Socrates tells Glaucon what many parents or coaches say to successful athletes, that once you are in the light sometimes you have to go back down in the darkness to help others or just remember your roots. The reason he says this is so that the Glaucon knows not to be selfish, but to be humble, and most of all go back and help others experience the light. The allegory of going back into the cave to me represents the student becoming the teacher. I believe Plato had added this part because he was once a prisoner until Socrates, his teacher, brought him out into the light. Now Plato is doing his job of going back into the darkness to show others the light by teaching them what he already knows.
Hundreds of centuries later Plato’s allegory still brings people to the light. Plato still is like the prisoner trying to get people to see the light every time someone reads the “Allegory of the Cave". He helps us understand the circle of not just getting to the top but helping other get there as well. He understood way back then that education was there for everyone, but hard work and a positive attitude is what gets people to the desired light, success.
You had really good points and I like how you related it to today’s world. Nice job!
DeletePlato’s allegory of the cave sheds light onto many aspects in society. The main idea in his story of Socrates and Glaucon is that society is like a cave or prison. Within this prison we see the people that make up our lives being chained to a wall. As they watch the shadows of life passing by, they are on autopilot. They do not use their full capabilities to see the truth in these shadows. They have become ignorant and brainwashed by the figures and are so far locked in to this way of life that even turning around to look at the truths is impossible due to the chains around their necks.
ReplyDeleteHumans as a whole are ignorant and manipulated easily by events or people that are highly praised in the world. If we truly look at these concepts, we can see through all of the made up and outrageous lies. To do so, we must face truths that form these better understandings. These truths are sometimes not so pretty to look at as the figures within the shadows of our minds.
As we break out of the prison and come into the light, we squint and turn away at the sight. The bright light of truth is hard to look at in all it’s entirety when we first step away from the darkness. As our eyes become adjusted, we can look upon situations with more ease. We may never fully look into the source if this light, similar to never fully looking at the sun. We only take small and quick glances at the sun to form an idea of what it looks like. The truth is this way, too. We can only see the truth if we face the consequences of possibly going blind to them.
Although now since we have formed our truths and seen the light of day, we have the desire to share it with others. As we travel back into the darkness of the cave, our eyes squint and flinch similarly to the way they did when we first saw the light. Once we have faced the darkness again head on we must decide to go back to the chains or to help others come into the light. The hesitation of others sometimes deters our sense of enlightenment, but no matter how many people flutter away from the truth, we can know in our minds that reality is not at all what society makes it out to be.
The allegory of the cave shows us how enlightenment can be hard to face. Truth is only a matter of how far we let our minds wonder. And sharing these tough concepts with others is truly our purpose.
I truly enjoyed your thoughts on enlightenment and Plato’s work, I am excited to read more from you on the blog this year.
DeleteI do agree with you that yes, society is definitely like a cave, but in general I feel as if life in general is a cave because let's face it we don't know everything. I'm glad you brought up the oppression and manipulation and that once people are faced towards the truth they're simple ignorant or dumbfounded by the ideas that they discover. The latest news event similar to this is what happened in the church and Christians in disbelief. I understood that this is possible when you put someone in a position of power over many people and they're brainwashed into respecting them and trusting them, it's just preparing them to be taken advantage of. I'm not saying that all priests or authoritative figures are bad, I'm saying that although you should teach your children respect, you shouldn't paint someone to be a figure that is never wrong. I would also like to establish that this has been happening forever now, it's just that people have been in the "shadows" about it, without social media and someone finally revealing to Christians what is happening behind closed doors no one would have ever found out about this. I dislike the church allowing these types of actions by paying off the parents and children behind closed doors and then moving the priests away just for them to do it again, it's disgusting how they used to treat these issues. I'm glad that finally an authoritative church figure is coming out with these issues and naming who and when they did it that way parents can finally have a sense of security knowing that someone has their back and is willing to call out these monsters.
DeleteI really enjoyed those thoughts! It made me think a bit!
DeleteThe allegroy of the cave is a story of leadership and understanding. Plato uses two characters, Socrates and Glaucon, to tell the story. They tell the story pf people chained up in a cave, beliving that shadows are reality. But, once they are unchained, they come to understand the lies that they been living in.
ReplyDeletePeople live in darkness sometimes for their whole life. They don't understand about the truth of life, so they end up living in the shadows of these objects, just going along with life. They don't want to know more, they just want to get through life. They have no higher meaning to them. But some people want more, and so they become unchained and then come out of the cave. They are blinded by the truth, but then they come to understand the entire "scene" and the darkness people live in.
The hard part of the story comes in now, the leadership part. You will want to share this enlightenment with others, but they won't listen or even understand what your talking about. You will try to tell them, but they just won't listen. Some will, and come to understand, but tohers will stay ignorant and will only believe the shadows. You can't change someone who won't listen, you just can't. If they don't listen, they will, by themselves, have to learn.
This entire story amazing, and it shows that humans can be stupid and idiotic. But it's shows we have the ability to learn, and understand, and that's amazing. We will try to tell others about this learning, and that's the Magnum Opus of the story, the leadership of a person.
You have some very good points. I like how you mention the different events in the cave and their meaning. You hit all the main parts of the story.
DeleteImagine being stuck in a cave your whole life, not being able to see anything except for shadows on the wall. The shadows you see are real life images, but also things you have never known. You’re tied by chains to a wall, unable to move, and forced to look at these images forever, until something unexpected happens. This resembles how all humans are in their early life. The question is, how were we brought out of this cave and introduced to the real world of complex society?
ReplyDeletePlato opens the story by having Socrates ask Glaucon a series of questions. These question allow for the reader to step back, and ask themselves the same questions. It makes the story more lively and a little easier to follow along with. This story is not meant to be an enjoyable read that only takes a few minutes to read, rather it is supposed to make the reader think about what they are actually reading.
Plato then continues by having Socrates tell us the story in a way that we can imagine it for ourselves. The picture shown to us also helps us to analyze and see what Socrates is talking about. He uses the image to show us how the people in the cave are being tricked into thinking that what they are living is true reality. This is how Plato says that we lived out lives when we were younger. Being kept away from reality for the sake of our maturity. He explains to us the importance of the ability to learn and take in information. Then continues to to tell us how important it is that we use the information we know, to enlighten the rest of the human race.
After Plato teaches about the use of imagery, he tells us how we need not be in the light for all of our lives, but to retreat into the cave and tell those who have not seen the real world what it is like. To be completely enlightened and wise, you must be humble and open to new ideas. After receiving as much information as possible, we must go on the teach younger generations about the safeties and dangers of the real world.
After reading this story, I believe that each and every human has the ability to learn so much more than we already know, but we just have to be open to everything. Sometimes there might be diversity and opinions of others that we don’t like, but we must attempt to see where they are coming from before we end up with a conclusion. The story is a good example of being a leader and informing those who have not been introduced to the light.
I like how you took a personal view of being stuck in the cave. I also think it is neat that you mentioned being humble is an important part of enlightenment and being wise.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your analysis, Stephen. I like how you mention that Plato uses rhetorical questions and imagery. This helps to put his views into a simpler and easier way to understand for the reader. Personally, I had not really thought of the cave as life before we are introduced into society when we mature. As I am sure you know, the cave can also be an allegory for more than just that, but rather, anything that we can be enlightened about.
DeletePlatos allegory of the cave represents a philosophical enlightenment that portrays a conversation between two characters in order to tell a story. In today’s world, we view prisoners as people held in a prison for the punishment of their crime, however, Plato viewed everyone as prisoners thousands of years ago. He believed people were afraid to know the truth and were afraid to come out of the cave and face the real world, which is still true today. He was a teacher who told a story by using rhetorical strategies and until this day has taught his students a life lesson.
ReplyDeletePlato’s first strategy is using a teacher, Socrates, to address and question the student who in this case is Glaucon. Socrates teaches Glaucon and after almost every short “lesson” he asks if Glaucon understands or agrees. By using rhetorical questions throughout the story, Plato makes the reader think about the true meaning of each lesson or part of the story. Another reason for using questions in the story is to split up the information. Plato represents a large amount of information throughout the story that is hard to understand, therefore, questions can split the text up and give the reader time to process and learn from his words.
The second and most important strategy in my eyes, is the use of imagery throughout the whole story. Plato is constantly putting the image of a cave with prisoners in it in our head. The reader pictures the prisoners that cannot turn their head playing a kind of “game” watching the shadows. The audience realizes the prisoners in the cave are all of us human beings today, afraid to leave the cave and afraid to face the truth. By using imagery, Plato teaches us that we can all achieve knowledge and good things in life if we go out of our comfort zone. By using the prisoner who leaves the cave and is blinded and then returns back to the cave and is blinded again he creates an intense image in our heads. Imagery is an important strategy in every story.
The last strategy used, is a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos. He used reason, logos, in order to give the reader a reason to want to understand the story and meaning of it. He also used ethos, credibility, to give himself, humans, and other teachers credit for influencing his story and teachings. Lastly, he used pathos, emotion, to interest the readers in understanding and fulfilling the meaning of the story. He wants humans to go out into the world and stop being afraid of the truth and afraid of what others think of you. Do not crawl back into the cave once your out of it.
Many years later, here we are learning from Plato’s example and being enlightened each and every day. Everyone can reach their final goals of enlightenment by working hard and understanding Plato’s works. His use of two characters telling a story of light and truth came to be one of the most read rhetorical arts.
Wow Emily, that is an amazing rhetorical analysis. My only problem would be when you stated, “Do not crawl back into the cave once your out of it.” It’s our duty to go back to where there is no truth an try to bring truth to the people. Other then that, it was great.
DeletePhilosophist, Plato, in his story, "Allegory of the Cave," portrays the idea that humans remain in ignorance until they are enlightened by being brought out of the symbolic cave. Plato's purpose is to reveal that humans need to see both sides, the light and the shadow, and ask whether or not the truth should be shared with others. He adopts an informative tone to convince others that this is the only way to understand the full truth.
ReplyDeletePlato begins the Allegory of the Cave by establishing a cave where the people inside are oppressed and can only see one way. He appeals to the readers emotions by establishing the oppression similar to how the reader is oppressed and forced into subgroups by society due to no longer conforming to the ideas set upon people. Plato takes advantage of the oppression in order to propose new ideas and establish that there is a way out of the cave and to see the truth, but it isn't easy. The ideas proposed by Plato gets the reader to wonder whether or not they're being oppressed and gives them the idea that maybe they truly don't know the whole truth.
Next, Plato introduces what happens when the prisoners are no longer oppressed and are free to do what they wish, but are pained because of it. By doing this Plato allows the reader to feel the same freedom that the prisoner might have, but being stuck by pain because of what they discover. Plato uses the pain as an example of learning the truth about anything one is ignorant to and asking the question of whether or not it is worth it. The question asked by Plato has the reader wondering how painful the truth really is.
Plato ends his story once prisoners are liberated with the question of whether or not the enlightenment should be shared between one another. Plato plays with the emotions of the reader by giving them the same feeling of weakness into strength they experienced once they moved out of the house and were exposed to how the real world works. The weakness and strength they feel is how they felt towards their parents once they moved out, they didn't know how to do anything for themselves until they absolutely had to learn. This leaves the reader wondering whether or not they should share with others what they have learned through this process and other life experiences.
Plato brings the reader through a journey questioning ideas and their supposed "truth" and whether or not it should be shared. This leaves the reader a new outlook on life on whether or not to trust what is infront of them and what they don't know.
Like your explanation of the story. You really walked me through the story, and kind of showed how the reader feels when reading the story. Great job!
DeleteAs we all know, the “Allegory of the Cave” can be compared to some of the actions going in today’s society. Plato, the author, used two characters by the names of Socrates and Glaucon to tell the story. Socrates continues to ask Glaucon questions as he is describing to him what is happening in the story. Glaucon never really answers these questions, as he reflects on them.
ReplyDeleteSocrates is telling the story of prisoners chained down in the cave, and who don’t really know what other things in life there is. The prisoners come to know the shadows they see as reality and don’t try to think or learn anything new about where they are or their surroundings.
The photo that was shown to us also portrays one of the previous prisoners standing outside the cave after he had found his way out of the darkness, into the light. The one who found his way eventually tries to help those still chained but doesn’t really get anywhere with them. This is also a big part in today’s want to share good news or tell people about the good things, but they tune you out or even talk behind your back when you’re gone. Most people will just keep tuning in to all the things they have known their whole life, and only a few certain people will listen and learn.
When someone is enlightened, they pass it in to others, and obviously Plato understood that as he passed this story on, as we are to pass it on to learn.
I love how you related this to today’s society! I also like how you brought up the point that enlightenment must be shared.
DeleteIn today’s modern American society ignorance can be difficult to combat as society distorts our perspective of the truth. The Allegory of the Cave was a way to relay the importance of seeking out truth in the world. Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave provides a critique to society to inform the people of the plague of ignorance that controls them and to persuade free thinking individuals of their responsibility to inform.
ReplyDeleteSocrates was attempting to show Glaucon the effects of ignorance within society, to impress the importance of education and higher thinking. Socrates modeled ignorance in society through the representation of the prisoners. The ignorance of prisoners was symbolized by their inability to change persecution. They were chained up so to only see what was right in front of them. It was not just the fault of the prisoners. The world is manipulating the prisoners to see the one perspective and to make sure they keep facing the one way. Only when the prisoners free themselves that they can learn the truths and flaws of the real world and can improve it for the sake of others.
Socrates uses The Allegory of the Cave to inform, persuade, and criticize society. Socrates used The Allegory of the Cave as a teaching devise to inform Glaucon of Socrates views of societal thinking and one mindedness. At the end of the excerpt, Socrates attempts to persuade Glaucon of the importance to descend back into the cave and to try to lead others back to the truth. He was explaining that it is the responsibility of the people who saw the truth to bring others to see the truth too to eliminate the ignorance within society. The Allegory of the Cave is a critique of the society where they lived where knowledge is of lesser value than a days labor.
Socrates allegory of the cave was initially intended for Glaucon. However, Plato’s capturing of The Allegory of the Cave was intended to help the society to seek out its own flaws. With Socrates used the imagery of the cave to impress upon a pupil, Glaucon, the importance of responsibility of scholars. The intent of Plato spreading the message was to ignite change within the given society. Even though these people were the intended audience there is a third party, the people of today.
In modern day we need to be much more careful with our news sources. You can use one resource to receive information but that is making you more like one of the people at the bottom of the cave, you only see what society shows you. Instead people need to broaden their perception and go beyond what is in front of them. Plato beckons us to search and climb to find the truth.
Grace, I enjoyed reading your rhetorical analysis and I was interested in the point where you mention that The Allegory of the Cave is a critique of society and how false information can put you back into the cave again. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
DeleteThe Allegory of the Cave teaches an important lesson about finding the truth in life, and how the truth will set those who seek it free. Through the Allegory of the Cave, Plato displayed significant examples of rhetoric. The techniques he used made the story relatable, understandable, and visual. Plato uses the Allegory of the Cave to teach that humans hide from the truth and by this they can be ignorant.
ReplyDeleteTo draw in the reader, Plato first uses a respectable, intelligent philosopher as the narrator. Socrates, Plato’s teacher, is teaching Glaucon the lesson, while Glaucon asks many questions. By using Socrates as the narrator, the audience is inclined to believe the story from the start. Because Socrates is one of the most established philosophers of all time, people are naturally inclined to believe his word. By using Socrates as the narrator, Plato draws in the audience.
Another aspect of the Allegory of the Cave that is brought to the readers attention immediately is that the story is set up as a conversation. Plato shows Socrates telling Glaucon the Allegory of the Cave while Glaucon asks many questions. This format makes the writing understandable and relatable. The reader is drawn in by the unique format and understands the question and answers easily. The questions that Glaucon asks are relatable, and the realizations Glaucon has are universal.
The vivid imagery also plays a major role in the Allegory of the Cave. Socrates sets the scene by describing details of the setting. The light from the sun and the darkness of the cave are used as strong imagery to describe the truth and the ignorance many people live in. The shadows give those in the cave a glimpse of insight to the truth. The major uses of imagery in the Allegory of the Cave make the story come to life.
By using an authoritative figure as the narrator, a conversational setup to keep the reader connected, and vivid imager, Plato scripted an exemplary classic with many examples of rhetoric inside. He used Socrates as the narrator to make it a scene of an authority figure instructing a student. The conversational storyline keeps the reader connected. Vivid imagery brings the story to life and helps people to truly see the topic at hand. Though these major examples of rhetoric, Plato created a fantastic work that has become a classic.
I really like how you mentioned the link between the darkeness of the cave and the light of the sun to the ignorance and truth of people’s lives. I agree that the imagery provided a sense of life to the story. I liked your points!
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ReplyDeleteAllegory of the Cave is a story being told by two main people, Glaucon and Socrates. It begins with people being chained to a wall where they can only see the shawdows which the prisoners believe to be real people, they think its reality, it is the the only thing they have ever known. As the prisoners could only see in one direction. Plato saw everyone as prisoners, they were blinded by the truth however in todays world you are only a prisoner if you do something wrong and are put in jail.
ReplyDeletePlato uses some rhetorical strategys through the story. Imagery is one of the biggest ones he uses. It shows us the horrible conditions that these prisoners were put into. Plato induces many emotions through imagery such as anger and confusion when the prisoners are tied to the wall forced to only look one way. It relates into todays would as many people just look one way and are afraid to look at all aspects at life. They are afriad to get some bad news, or something not in there favor they don’t want to hear the truths of the world. When they are able to see what the world is really like, they are afriad of what they see. The truth of the world gives them pain, which makes them want to go back to there comfort zone, which is the cave. He also used rhetoric strategys through questions. He uses this for Socrates to explain to the readers the situation the prisoners are being put through. It allows us to understand what is going on in the story. Also, Plato uses a lot of references to “The Cave” which I believe is just a figure of speech for the prisoners, of us being afraid of the truth.
Platos was a teacher, and his final lesson is that of enlightenment. He wants us to not be afraid of the truth, and maybe even to take some chances, dont be afraid to step out of our comfort zones a little.
One of the big things I believe in is doing things that are out of my comfort zone. That being said, I really enjoyed how you referenced that in your blog. That was a very important piece of your topic!
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ReplyDeleteThere can be many different takeaways and viewpoints from this story. It all depends on the type of person, I believe, in regards to how this story is viewed. The story is centered around a very one-way conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, in which Socrates uses his rhetorical skills to influence Glaucon’s point of view of this “cave”. Throughout the conversation, he asks rhetorical questions that pretty much only have one response. That response being whatever Socrates wants Glaucon to think. In my opinion, this story does a remarkable job of relating this conversation to the way most people in our world think and act today. There are too many simple minded people in this world who are very easily influenced by the opinions of the higher ups. Glaucon symbolizes the people of the world today and Socrates is obviously the higher ups. Also, the action of imprisonment in the story is not as it seems. The first thought that comes to mind when you think about prison is a jail cell with handcuffs and a crappy situation. However, this prison in the story is more of a hypothetical prison. It symbolizes what is holding us back as people in this world together. Another strong allegorical sense in this story occurs with the light at the top of the cave. These people have been so simple minded for so long that they needed to “see the light” and open up to what’s truly going on with the world. They needed to experience the truth. When someone finally escapes the “cave”, which is truly the darkness and the falicies of the world, they see the truths or the “light”. I truly hope that whenever someone reads this story that they truly understand the meaning behind it.
ReplyDeleteThe Allegory of the Cave by Plato is surrounded by the idea that humans perceive what they want to perceive based on their drive to gain more knowledge. He used the imagery of prisoners in a cave that saw images on the wall presented before them. These images were sculpted onto a stick, which were held by the guards in the cave. The images were reflected as shadows upon the cave wall due to the fire in front of the sectioning wall between the prisoners and guards. This raised wall acted as a screen in which marionettes use puppets to portray a story and the prisoners were the audience. The guards were hidden so that the prisoners could not see or acknowledge any other type of being except those prisoners beside them. Another aspect of the imagery that Plato provided is the enlightenment of one of the escaped prisoners. He sees the world for what it truly is instead of being mentally and physically blinded. The escaped prisoner knew nothing other than what he thought was reality depicted through forms on the wall.
ReplyDeleteThis whole imagery displays today’s society. Some people may become brainwashed or “chained down” to what they perceive to be true. Politics can share relation to this story in a variety of ways. The “prisoners” or believers of some politicians may be accustomed to their ideas, in which they do not want to accept any other input from others. They know what they know and that is all they think they need. Instead of “escaping” or looking for more, they do not see the bigger picture or take any other realities into consideration.
In order to accept new ideas, we must be aspire to be like the escaped prisoner. The drive for knowledge is an important one that must never be put to a halt. Just like the trapped prisoners, if we do not put forth the effort to see the whole picture, then nothing will become of us. We will be “trapped in a cave” for the rest of our lives. Facing the truth may not always be what is wanted, but we must be accepting for better understanding.
Being enlightened is an amazing experience that should be felt often. The more accepting people are as a whole, the better understanding they have for what reality truly is. Although, it is not anyone’s fault for not accepting new ideas because they have never been taught or shown how to deal with an enlightening experience. Once they become open-minded, they are no longer blinded.
I really like how you mentioned that some people are not very accepting of the way other people do things. Yet, if they were just think how different our society would be.
DeletePlato’s Allegory of the Cave is a deeply meaningful rendition of his perception of mankind. The world is displayed as the dark cave that holds prisoners captive. The prisoners are actually the humans that are too afraid to break free of their chains and search for something else. The only sense of entertainment the prisoners get to experience is their own human experiences displayed on the wall in front of them. The Allegory of the Cave brings peoples’ attention towards the fact they should stop living in their sheltered comfort zones and branch out to explore great big, beautiful things.
ReplyDeleteWhen one prisoner manages to escape the clutches of his chains, he discovered the world beyond the eerie cave. At first he is blinded by the light of the sun, but eventually his eyes adjust and, as expected, he is quickly enlightened by the fact that there is such beauty in a world that he has never seen before. He soon realizes that the shadows on the wall he has seen his whole life are just mere shadows, not actual objects like he thought.
The prisoner has a moment of realization and learns that the objects he sees outside of the cave have shadows, but they are not shadows themselves. Since he was brainwashed into believing that the shadows were the actual objects he was seeing for so long, he had a difficult time believing that there was a truth to it and he was being manipulated. Similarly today, social media has a huge influence over what people believe. It can brainwash almost anyone into believing something that is not true, especially for their benefit.
Just like when the prisoner left the cave and was blinded, he had a hard time readjusting to the cave. He could not see the shadows as he once used to because he experienced real objects for once. The enslaved prisoners were still brainwashed into believing that there was nothing beyond the cave because of their stubbornness to change their beliefs about anything. This is especially true in today’s world considering the ignorance of mankind. Not many people will break out of the habits they already know to learn the truth.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is the perfect allegory for today’s society. There is always one person that thinks outside the box, but until everyone else experiences it that person becomes a laughing stock. The freed prisoner stepped outside of the box and learned about beautiful, amazing things. We should be like the prisoner in the way that he did not just listen to the opinions of others. He was skeptical of what he saw and did not limit his thought box to solely things he knew already. He was willing to reconsider things and in return he discovered something more incredible than he could ever imagine.
I like the points that you made when comparing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave to today’s society. This made me think of things I haven’t before and I think you did a really good job.
DeleteThe Allegory of the Cave is about prisoners who are trapped in an underground cave. All they have ever known was shadows that reflected off the wall. Yet, they actually never even knew that it took light to reflect off something to get a shadow. Chained to only look forward and watch shadows shows us this was their reality. This was until one day when one prisoner was released and faced the fire. Through much pain, everything started making sense. Everything became real.
ReplyDeleteAs we read this book we begin to put ourselves in his position. We develop an image in our heads of what it would be like to live like this. We after ask ourselves if we too hold ourselves back because we only want to know so much. The writer is trying to show us that the prisoners are us sometimes and that needs to change. The readers gain a feel of guilt.
The title of the book “Allegory of the Cave” allows the reader to begin searching for the meaning as they read. It gives the book a reason. They know for a fact that an allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden message. This helps Aristotle draw an audience to his book.
A line in the story says “Better to be the poor servant of a poor master, and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner?” Socrates is asking the prisoner what he would rather have, and the one option is clearly better. This allows the prisoner to place his trust in him and go to the other world that he was not able to see for all this time.
Allegory of the Cave relates back to our society today in so many ways.
Students, employers, and citizens sometimes only go so far to reach their goal. When they have a setback or get “trapped” they give up and just look at what they could be doing if they would continue. Aristotle is trying to show us that if we continue to reach our goals and not let setbacks shut us down, greatness will come. Keep pushing, it’s worth it.
I enjoy how you relate the old English novel to scenarios in modern times. Also, I particularly enjoyed your outlook on the symbolism within the book. Well done!
DeleteThe Allegory of the Cave is a story about enlightenment. In it, Aristotle is trying to teach this through the actual example of a cave. We are all prisoners to something in this world. This is why the Allegory of the Cave is so relevant in today’s world and why it is also everywhere in the media. The Allegory of the Cave is all about leaving ones own personal “cave” that is hindering us from finding the truth.
ReplyDeleteThere are many patterns in The Allegory of the Cave that make it a perfect example of good rhetoric. Aristotle begins the story by establishing ethos with the fact that he is a teacher who clearly has a good understanding of his subject. He then uses pathos to appeal to human emotion by paining a vivid image of the cave and the world outside the cave. Then, Aristotle uses logos by showing us all of the reasons why it is practical for us to come out of the cave. In using ethos, pathos, and logos, Aristotle begins to set up his argument while the reader is already enticed by his words.
Aristotle also asks a lot of rhetorical questions throughout The Allegory of the Cave. These are such a good rhetorical strategy becuase rather than make the reader question what he is saying, Aristotle is guiding the mind into his way of thinking. These rhetorical questions almost make the reader think he or she has discovered a certain thing on their own, but really Aristotle is just continuing to successfully persuade the reader into his way of thinking.
Another rhetorical strategy Aristotle uses throughout the Allegory of the Cave is imagery. This is also an extremely important strategy. As mentioned before, the imagery also ties to the element of pathos. The imagery is Aristotle’s way of taking a complicated subject and bringing it down to our level so it can be understood. It is easier to imagine being in the cave with the prisoners and the blinding sensation as the cave is exited than hearing it a more complicated way. With imagery, Aristotle is sort of killing two birds with one stone- he brings the topic down to to our level while speaking to our pathos.
The Allegory of the Cave is something each person should read because it applies to everyone. No one can know absolutely everything, so each person has their own “cave.” The Allegory of the Cave has a lot to teach about enlightenment and the pursuit for the truth. The Allegory of the Cave is a perfect example of proper rhetoric and continues to have a huge impact on society since the time it was written.
In the Allegory of the Cave, the prisoners begin at rock bottom and do not even realize that they are not seeing the truth, but rather, just shadows of different figures. There are lots of ways in which Plato uses to explain human reality, as well as how they can stop looking at the shadows of reality and start looking at the real thing. Ethos, pathos, and logos, imagery, and dialect are a few of the skills that he uses in order to get his point across.
ReplyDeleteEthos, pathos, and logos are used within the Allegory of the cave in different ways to appeal to everyone in a rhetorical sense. Ethos is used when Plato says that this is his option. He is stating that he could be right or wrong in his thought. This gives him more credibility than if he were to say that this is the only possible explanation. Next, Plato also uses pathos, which appeals to one’s emotions. He does this by presenting the allegory as if the reader was the prisoner inside of the cave, resisting the information and the want to be enlightened. Lastly, logos, which is a more logical persuasion, is used. Plato uses logos through the use of asking simple questions with obvious answers to break down his view. Then, he would proceed to combine one truth with another to get yet another truth and so forth.
Imagery is also used by Plato as a rhetorical tool in the Allegory of the Cave. Imagery is used to create a picture within the reader’s mind. He creates this picture more specifically through the shadows. when the prisoner finally turns their head and looks toward the light for the first time, it is hard to adjust. They see the blinding reality for the first time. It is easy for the reader to relate to the blinding sun at first before their eyes learn to adjust. The imagery continues when the now enlightened individual has to see the darkness once again. This tactic paints a picture of what the cave looks like in the struggles for the prisoner to become enlightened.
Plato uses conversation as a way to hide himself trying to explain his believes out front. Through conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, the reader may not even realize that Plato is explaining his opinion on how enlightenment works. Dialect helped to make the explanation easier to understand with more meaning behind it. Through the tactic of question and answer, Plato is answering possible questions that the reader may have on his allegory. The questions are broken down into simpler rhetorical questions which aids greatly in allowing the reader to interpret the entirety of the story.
Many rhetorical tactics are used within the Allegory of the Cave. The use of ethos, pathos, logos, imagery, and dialect are just a few of them. All of these skills allow the reader to understand Plato’s allegory and beliefs without completely realizing that they may have possibly been persuaded into his way of thought, as he presents it as just a possibility. With that, Plato shows the reader a sense of how enlightenment can work and helps them to get their own neck to begin turning to the light.
Meant to say dialogue, not dialect. Whoops!
DeletePeople are bound to their beliefs because they know no other way of living. It is certain that Plato understood this concept, and that is why he wrote The Allegory of the Cave. In an attempt to shed some light on wisdom, this story summarizes the paradox that prevents many ideas of enlightenment from ever reaching the entire community.
ReplyDeleteTo provide an understanding of the lack of enlightenment, Plato describes the cave as a dark, dingy room. The only knowledge that the beings in the cave know are the shadows on the wall before them. These shadows, in actuality, are the simple ideas that people tend to unanimously agree upon. The only way to gain enlightenment, according to the story, is to move out of the sense of comfort that nobody wants to leave. In this story, the blindness that results from the movement between darkness and light is the discomfort. The once chained prisoner, being forced through the pain and discomfort, makes his way through the cave until the light of day is present. This journey is the breakthrough to new wisdom, and it teaches the reader that new ideas, even though they may contradict present ideas or comfort, could ultimately bring the most joy to the world.
Plato uses crossroads in his story to add an emotional connection between the reader and the prisoners. The connection is used to train the mind of the reader to hope for the best outcome for those in the cave, which would ultimately be a uniformed enlightenment. When the prisoners in the cave disregard the newly discovered knowledge of the escapee, it creates a feeling of disgust. The disgust is used to change the reader’s mind about the rejection of new ideas simply because he or she does not see in the same light.
The allegorical format of this story is meant to teach individuals something about themselves. Plato does not want people to be afraid of change, and he knows change could possibly lead to a happier society. He writes these allegories so he can ease this system of thinking into the minds of others. He also uses a question and answer format between Socrates, a well known philosopher, and his student Glaucon to assert the credibility of the story. Plato’s format of writing was performed in order to provide the best system of learning to the reader.
Changing the ideology that prevents new ideas and enlightenment from being spread to society was Plato’s motive for writing The Allegory of the Cave. By providing this story, Plato convinces that a new world can be discovered only when looking with a new light.
Good job Regis. You did a nice job getting your point across. Although I disagree with your statement that “people are bound to their beliefs because they know no other way of living”. I know it is true for some but using the word people is to vast. I believe some people are like this but there are many who are trying to find themselves like the prisoner who made the journey through the cave. People may like their way of living but strive for something even greater. Other than that, nice job.
DeleteIf you read the entire first paragraph, not just the first line, I wrote that Plato understood what was happening, so he wrote the story in an attempt to change the paradox of people being bound to their beliefs.
DeleteYes I see that, I am trying to tell you that if you agreed with your first statement people would have just disregarded what Plato had written about the cave anyway. I am just say most people are comfortable with their beliefs but not by any means bound to them meaning not willing to change or Plato would have never written the allegory of the cave in the first place because no one would have changed. The people were not bound so they took up the example of the person in the cave more freely.
DeletePlato simply, yet obscurely writes of many symbolic topics. Within the first part of the story a character in the book known as Socrates is narrating a series of hypothetical scenarios to another character, Glaucon. Centrally located within the scenarios that the character of Socrates presents are many symbolic figures. In fact, the character himself is named Socrates in order to establish the characters leadership and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThere is an abundance of symbolism throughout the story. For example, Socrates refers to the humans in the cave as prisoners. Plato is able to make this connection that the humans are prisioners of society. Just like when a prisoner sees what is outside of the cave, he explains how the outside world is blinding. This symbolizes how the outside world is truth. Truth is sometimes refreshing but sometimes we also repel truth and choose not to be associated with it.
The Alagory of the Cave has endless symbolism, that of which cannot all be mentioned in a short essay. However, the most interesting part of the book is when the prisoner returns to the cave. When he does so he persistently try’s to enlighten his fellow prisoners of the outside world. The things he mentions to them comes as a shock and they choose not to believe them. In this scene, the returning prisoner acts as a philosopher in modern times, trying to explain to society why things are the way they are, and what may come of the future.
There is vivid imagery throughout the entire story. Furthermore, this story is now a classsical old english novel. This story has been passed down for decades mainly because of the recognization that our society is forever evolving. However, the way that our society is ever changing may pose potential problems and conflicts.
Your use of vocabulary was very sophisticated and the entire prompt was well written. I especially like how you brought society in at the end and said how there could be further problems in the further. Overall, nice job!
DeleteThe Allegory of the Cave is a passage, written by Plato, in which readers encounter a conversation between Socrates and his student Glaucon. Within this text, Plato presents a mirror image of today's world compared to philosophy itself. The way he addresses his audience is quite exotic. Plato speaks through a teacher and a student, so Socrates being the "author" and the Glaucon being the "audience", to resemble him, the author, teaching his audience, the human race.
ReplyDeleteDuring this lesson, Socrates tries to make Glaucon understand that his perception of reality is not actually reality itself. He uses the strategy of symbolism by preaching about a cave that holds shackled prisoners who are forced to watch shadows. These shadows are all that the people are exposed to, so therefore, it becomes their reality. This works because Galucon knows that there is so much more to the world than merely shadows. He understands that there are things such as animals, water, and buildings.
Plato uses this allegory because the readers, can see themselves as Glaucon and know that there is more to the world. However, the major point that the author emphasizes is that the human race is not Glaucon, but they are the prisoners. When dissecting the text, it is easy to notice that reality is basically a habit. Think of reality as a box that holds everything one has learned and witnessed throughout the years. By picturing this box, the mind knows that there is more space and things outside of the box, but it is a matter of opening the box that is the real hassle. In a philosopher's mind, there is no box, for it has already been opened and forgotten because they now see the true reality. Socrates mentions that a prisoner breaks free from his chains and is blinded by the light when he steps out of the cave. He soon adjusts and fully acknowledges true reality. When he comes back to the cave and tells his fellow prisoners about it. They call him delusional because they have not yet opened their box.
The audience at this point feels more enlightened to what reality itself is. They feel more connected and motivated to free themselves from the shackles and find their way out of the cave. They now understand that Plato wants them to open their eyes to new things, rather than being so close-minded. He wants the human race to stop putting concrete things underneath abstract terms, such as beauty, because that is not reality. That is habit.
I really enjoyed your own version of the Allegory of the Cave by using a box. That could be used as a present-day allegory because Plato’s work can be considered a difficult read by some.
DeleteEveryday, people face their own caves whether they realize it or not. In the Allegory of the Cave, the cave is seen as a place where all of the prisoners are stuck. Even after the outside world is revealed, they are still chained to the cave. They have to watch life while being unable to live it. However, the cave is their life. Once removed, they would have to adjust to everything they’ve never known before. Being used to only seeing the shadows they wouldn’t know how to make out a bright blue sky, green grass, or red apples. The life they knew would be a distant memory, and they would now have to find a way to live in this new world.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, having to go back to the cave could be even harder or the easiest thing in the world. Adjusting to something new is very difficult. It’s always easier to go back to what you knew before. However, once you’ve already adjusted you might not want to go back to what you knew before. Now that you know what you can have, why would you want that all to be taken away from you? Would losing everything really be worth getting your old life back?
I enjoyed your piece immensely, especially the opening sentence. Great job! You really understand the piece.
DeleteOne of that most famous concepts in philosophy is the “Allegory of the Cave” written by Plato. References to “The Cave” has been found in art, music, philosophy, and teaching strategies. It is absolutely remarkable that only a few pages of dialogue, written thousands of years ago can have such a huge influence on the way that we think, teach and learn. “So what is this ‘Allegory of the Cave’ anyway, one might ask. That, is no doubt, a truly important question. In order to understand this Allegory better one must first answer the questions of: what is “the Cave”, how does Plato present us with the dialogue, and how it can be applied to life today.
ReplyDelete“So what is it anyway?”, one might ask. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is a short piece of dialogue in which the famed philosopher, Socrates compares the process of enlightenment to his student, Glaucon. Socrates paints a picture of a prisoner trapped into the cave where the only thing the man can see is his shadows, the only thing that he believes is real. When he is set free, he leaves the caverns discovers the world is much larger that he thought that it originally was. This is akin to when a person reaches enlightenment and achieves knowledge. Their worldview is expanded so drastically that they may not be able to absorb all the information at once. That is the simple and short version of “The Cave”.
The second question is how Plato convinces the audience to take him seriously. Plato makes the text accessible to the common man. Plato uses the dialogue format so that information is absorbed slowly so not to confuse the reader. The conversation reveals the details of the story in the natural place. He uses imagery to present an example that everyone can understand. Plato does not overcomplicate the story by adding in details that do not matter. He uses a simple, clear style that can be easily understood. He also uses the logical explanations to draw the reader in and make what he is saying reasonable and therefore, to convince the reader about his idea.
The “Allegory of the Cave” is extremely relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It describes the journey we take in our lives to became educated. The themes of enlightenment, education, and coming out of the darkness. Every person has to go through the experience of learning about a certain subject and having their worldview expanded. Some people are still in the cave, still believing in false information. Some people are out of the cave, but are so overwhelmed with the information that they cannot see yet. Everyone goes through the journey that the prisoner takes, many times in their lives.
“The Allegory of the Cave” is an important piece of literature for good reasons. It reminds us that going out of the cave isn’t something that people do once in our lives. Humans continually try to work ourselves out of the many caves of darkness, and into the light of knowledge.
The Allegory of the Cave is a piece of rhetoric written by the philosopher Plato. The Allegory of the Cave is Book 7 in The Republic. Plato is attempting to convince the audience into believing that his opinions about enlightenment are true. Plato uses many techniques to slowly convince the reader without letting him or her know.
ReplyDeleteThe first technique that Plato uses that sets the scene is a conversation between Socrates and Glaucon. Socrates was also a well-respected philosopher that citizens looked up to. The work is presented as Socrates telling Glaucon about this Allegory of the Cave and painting a mental picture into his head. This method made the readers of that era to think to themselves, “Well if Socrates is stating this, then it must be true.”
Within the conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, Plato makes Socrates ask rhetorical questions. As many people should know, the one who asks the questions has all the power in an argument. Thus, Socrates asking Glaucon rhetorical questions was slowly shifting his opinion to agree with Socrates’. A rhetorical question is a type of question that is not meant to be answered by the one receiving it because it is self explanatory. They are used to force the listener to agree with the opinion being presented.
A helpful method that Plato used to persuade the reader is painting a mental image. Attempting to persuade someone is almost impossible if they cannot picture the opinion presented in his or her head. Plato uses the right words at the right moments to make the picture clearer. The whole Allegory of the Cave is one big mental picture that was carefully written about to bring out even the most minute details. Plato possesses a skill of rhetoric that is unmatched because he is so good at manipulating words into images.
The Allegory of the Cave is widely known for its powerful persuasion methods. Even though only three practices were mentioned, Plato used over a handful of techniques to manipulate the mind for the better. The Allegory of the Cave was meant to tell and show readers what it is like to be enlightened and to stay enlightened. You could stay out of the cave even though it will be difficult at times for the hope of learning more, or you could reenter the cave and become ignorant to reality.
You wrote this very well, very easy to follow and comprehend. I especially like your point about rhetorical questions and that the one who asks the questions has the power.
DeleteThe allegory of the cave was actually a very nice little story for me to read. I found it easy to understand and follow along with. I think it did a very good job of comparing enlightenment and where we live to the cave. I can almost feel what enlightenment means even though I'm not enlightened. And I noticed a couple themes that the writer used to make it so easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing is that it is an allegory, he doesn't try to explain enlightenment itself, he explains a comparison for it. This is very important when considering that enlightenment isn't something an unenlightened person could truly understand, or so I think, I can't really know. I think it is also important that he used the cave as the comparison, everyone knows what a cave is. Even if they haven't seen one, they can imagine it. I personally found the picture of the cave very helpful to having a picture in my mind and then the text was able to add more detail to that picture. Even without the picture, I think I could've gotten a pretty good picture of the cave myself.
Another thing I think was very important the was the pure detail that was described in the text. As I was saying, it was important to me that I get a good picture of what is being talked about in my head. This was very easy to do with the level of detail in the story. But not just detail describing the visual, but the whole idea of enlightenment was very well described with relation to the cave and the visible and invisible. So many small ideas were put into to each paragraph that really made each point seem relatable.
Finally, I think that the way the text is portrayed was able to help a lot. It was written as two people talking, the student and the teacher. The teacher explaining it to the student. While the student didn't really add anything to the story, it made Plato write it as though it was being explained, not just purely writing it in facts. Specifically, I think that it was being explained with positive reinforcement was important. This is how Socrates explained it how it was and then asked Glaucon that it was correct. He explained it in a way that is explaining it to the audience but in parts and making sure the student understood it as they went.
Every part of the text was made to be understood. Using several writing techniques, this was accomplished very successfully. The way it is written so that anyone can at least try to understand, the level of detail that is added in every section, and the way it is written to be understood all come together to form a very good and successful allegory.
The Allegory of the Cave is a very well known passage that expresses the severity of enlightenment. It was written by Plato as a way to educate the Western world. The story begins with Socrates expressing his views with Glaucon. Socrates refers to people being chained in a cave with only the ability to look forward into the shadows. Plato, through the text, tries to show that you must open yourself up to the light in order to become enlightened.
ReplyDeleteRhetoric that is heavily used is how awful the cave is made out to sound. Plato expresses that being trapped in the cave is horrible. Prisoners are physically chained there with an inability to move. This results in them becoming puppets. This reference is used because people are suffering when they really just need to break free and experience what is out there. Throughout the passage Socrates paints the picture of how wonderful life can be on the outside. Although people initially do not adjust ideally, they become liberated. When they become adjusted, the once prisoners are able to move and see the beauty. Physical objects and shadows are discovered which creates a whole new perspective. Socrates uses the wonderful rhetoric of creating an image for Glaucon to understand the point he is trying to make. This is method is defined as imagery, which is a very efficient method of persuasion.
Socrates also persuades Glaucon by asking him rhetorical questions. Socrates held their conversations this way so he could hold the power. He would phrase things in the correct way that Glaucon had to agree with his thoughts. People tend to try to persuade you by making the information they are selling sound glorified. When the person the rhetor is talking to understands their picture, they grow the same views. Or at least they are pondered on deeply.
Using rehetoric is a genius way to persuade people to see what you see. Socrates expresses how bad it is to be trapped in a cave. Once you emerge from the cave, and break out of the chains there is so much more to see. He uses very efficient methods to get his views across. The Allegory of the Cave is a way of persuasion to make people understand the importance of becoming enlightened. People can get scared and try to hide, or crawl back down into the cave, but this teaches you how truly beautiful it is in the light.