In Plato's Allegory, prisoners are chained, completely motionless in a cave, and shadows of puppets are cast on the walls. The prisoners are unaware of the actual cause of the shadows and believe the shadows are unique, independent entities. But one of the prisoners is let free and discovers the true source of the shadows. He ventures out of the cave and into the world above where he is confronted with nature and the sun. Thereafter, he is compelled to return to the cave and share what he has learned. His eyesight must readapt to the darkness, so initially the other prisoners assume the light has ruined his vision; he appears incompetent, and his knowledge of a considerably more accurate reality will seem ridiculous.
Plato's cave is a profound allegory with many interpretations, and the following is only what I believe it may represent.
Cave
Plato uses the shadows on the wall to illustrate the limits of human knowledge. The depths of the cave represent a realm of less intelligence and understanding. He is implying that our perceptions deceive us, and he wants us to reconsider what we think we know and then strive for truth. The prisoner was certain there was no other world beyond that of the cave, but his rendezvous above ground altered his perceptions. He realizes yet another aspect of reality and a higher state of being.
It is likely that the blinding sun represents the source of life, and the all-knowing heavenly bodies-an aspect of reality and knowledge unknown to humans.
The enlightened prisoner does not want to return to a world that is less real, or to a realm of less intelligence. His vision is impaired from the light when he returns to the cave below, which seems to imply that the enlightened appear ridiculous to the fool, and the fool is reluctant to become enlightened because he fears what he does not know. It might also suggest that knowledge is a burden, but nonetheless sacred and indispensable. Furthermore, it is the duty of those enlightened to share their knowledge, regardless of the consequences; incidentally, that is what got Socrates killed.
Interpreting Plato's Cave Cave
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