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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page essay that relates and analyzes the allegory of the cave that Plato relates in Book 7 of his Republic. The purpose of the narrative is to illustrate the effect that education, and specifically knowledge of philosophy, has upon the human soul. Essentially, the allegory of the cave posits that the enlightenment bestowed by philosophical education moves the cognitive powers of the individual from darkness into light, opening up a whole new world in which the individual is prepared to recognize what Plato deems to be the true nature of reality. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khplcave.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
illustrate the effect that education, and specifically knowledge of philosophy, has upon the human soul. Essentially, the allegory of the cave posits that the enlightenment bestowed by philosophical education moves
the cognitive powers of the individual from darkness into light, opening up a whole new world in which the individual is prepared to recognize what Plato deems to be the
true nature of reality. As with all of Platos writing, he attributes the origin of his ideas to his mentor and teacher, Socrates. Plato pictures Socrates talking with
various people, explaining philosophical concepts and designing his discourse in a manner that causes those listening to him to think and not just blindly accept ideas. Socrates begins the
allegory by describing a dark scene in which a group of people are chained to a wall. As Socrates relates this strange story, he is interrupted by Glaucon who remarks
on the unusual nature of the situation and these prisoners. Socrates replies that the men in the cave are very much like ourselves. As this suggests, Socrates means to make
it clear that this allegory has relevance to the realities of everyday existence. In fact, from the beginning of his discourse on this allegory, Socrates specifically relates it to
the topic of education. He says, "Next, said I, compare our nature in respect of education and its lack to such an experience as this" (Book 7.514a). Socrates goes on
to describe men who dwell in a "subterranean cavern" with a "long entrance open to the light on its entire width" (7.514a). The men are chained to a wall
from birth and restricted in a such way so that they can neither look to either side nor behind them, but must forever face directly ahead, as they
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