Philosophy of Plato allegory of cave?

Question

At the end of story, when the freed prisoner saw the sunlight bright world and he wanted to share the world with others prisoners, he went back inside the cave to free them but the prisoners thought he went mad and tried to kill him. They resist the truth.

So what is the point of story if we can't use our knowledge to free other minds? Is Plato saying that it's hopeless to free them or help them to see the truth.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Is Plato saying that it's hopeless to free them or help them to see the truth.



No. He didn't say that. He said that well trained guardians who had learned to see things in terms of the metaphorical "light" shed by THE GOOD (similar to the light of the SUN in the physical world) could be justly compelled to go back down into the metaphorical cave, let their eyes get re-accustomed to the darkness, at first, and then explain the shadows to the cave dwellers, better than cave dwellers can. Quote:



PLATO:

Wherefore each of you, when his turn comes, must go down to the general underground abode, and get the habit of seeing in the dark. When you have acquired the habit, you will see ten thousand times better than the inhabitants of the den, and you will know what the several images are, and what they represent, because you have seen the beautiful and just and good in their truth. And thus our State which is also yours will be a reality, and not a dream only, and will be administered in a spirit unlike that of other States, in which men fight with one another about shadows only and are distracted in the struggle for power, which in their eyes is a great good. Whereas the truth is that the State in which the rulers are most reluctant to govern is always the best and most quietly governed, [Republic Book VII]





Plato/Socrates's point is that in his ideal Republic, people with philosophic "natures" won't be spoiled but will be educated in a spirit of service to their fellow cave dwellers. But they will also enjoy one another's enlightened company much better than the company and pleasures of "den dwellers". So when they are compelled to go back down among cave dwellers, they won't be seeking the shadowy "honours, rewards and pleasures" of cave dwellers, but, rather, will be showing/explaining the "shadows" of cave-dwellers to them as a service. Of course, if some "shadow watcher" wants to climb up to the light of philosophy, they would certainly help him/her in achieving that desire.



Basically, Plato was preparing his "fellow philosophers" for rejection and misunderstanding among "shadow-watching-people" while reminding them that it was their duty to help such people understand their "shadows" better --- or, if they desire, help them up toward the "light" of being virtuous and good.



As to "our knowledge" [i.e. So what is the point of the story if we can't use OUR KNOWLEDGE to free other minds?], why don't you know the "point" of Plato's allegory. It is written above in Book VII of Plato's Republic. Could it be that you are still a bit of a "shadow person" or "cave dweller" yourself and somewhat unable to get the point of an allegory or, as you say, "story"?



I don't mean to be unkind with the above question. Luckily we are not talking to each other in the same "cave". Hence I should be "safe". Just kidding.



PLATO:



"Yes, my friend, I said; and there lies THE POINT. You must contrive for your future rulers another and a better life than that of a ruler, and then you may have a well-ordered State; for only in the State which offers this, will they rule who are truly rich, not in silver and gold, but in virtue and wisdom, which are the true blessings of life. Whereas if they go to the administration of public affairs, poor and hungering after the' own private advantage, thinking that hence they are to snatch the chief good, order there can never be; for they will be fighting about office, and the civil and domestic broils which thus arise will be the ruin of the rulers themselves and of the whole State."



So don't embroil yourself with "leading people out of darkness" with "OUR KNOWLEDGE" until you are able to "explain the shadows" to those of us who, most likely, also live in the metaphorical "cave".



Kevin

Answer 2

You can only lead a horse to water to drink, no matter how bad you want to make them or drown even. He is arguing that upon freeing oneself and experiencing a new world, coming back is difficult because you are no longer the same. Its a,story of ignorance (an absense of knowledge) knowledge (accumulation of information), and wisdom (applied use of knowlege.



Starting at completely Ignorant then Breaking free and making your way out the cave to a new world is collecting knowlegde. The story is about the individual journey(s) of ignorance,we all start with, some will find it some are complacent, some regret leaving.



The return to the cave is most difficult. You left the group and now comeback you yourself different. Personally you have changed, to them you have too.



Socrates explains to be patient kind listen and be gentle in dialogue. You could help bring others out of the cave of ignorance and into the light of knowledge by utilizing wisdom.

Answer 3

Plato, perhaps understood..."For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21-21)

Answer 4

Not hopeless, but there may be resistance.

Answer 5

This cave represents the lower mentality of the people and it's also a representation of the physical world or material existence. When Plato says he went back into the cave, he had to do it this way so that he can teach the lesson at the level of mentality the people were at and try to elevate them into the non-material existence. Since it's virtually impossible to explain that mentality and existence to one who has never experienced it, it can appear as madness to the masses who never experienced it. Unlike today where we can express this freely, in those days this knowledge was considered taboo and if one was to express it, they stood the chance of being executed for their understandings.

Answer 6

Since you don't "get it", read this. Perhaps the analogy will help: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-confucius-wasted-13-years-of-his.html

Answer 7

Socrates suffered the "madding crowd," and is an example Plato drew upon.



It is important to note that Plato locates the Cave in the "Republic," which is his depiction of the optimal society of conditioned "muggles" or "cavemen."



Outside of the "Republic" is the "Groves of Academe," which has a "pons asinorum" that intends to screen for "half-bloods" or troglodytes who aren't able to appreciate at least Dianonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analogy_of_the_divided_line In this schema, Kant would be admitted, Schopenhauer might not (if too "emo" or "existential"). Another take on this pons asinorum is Kierkegaard's three concurrent spheres: the Aesthetic or existential now, the Philosophic or reflective--those who, like Kant, discern Ideational patterns in Nature, math, etc. are Dianonia-level candidates for realization per Kierkegaard's third sphere, that of Spirit, or "God is in this and I Am Noesis."



Related: "Return to the One: Plotinus's Guide to God-Realization;" "The Slightest Philosophy;" "Light Is a Living Spirit;" "The Path of the Higher Self."

Answer 8

Two lessons really. The first is about how a limited perspective (and limited perceptions) can restrict our comprehension. The second is about exercising free choice to respond to what we perceive, and allowing others the freedom to come to their own conclusions

Answer 9

The allegory is to hint that we cannot share revelations of life outside the mechanical

with others `just like that`, and to attempt to

is to turn the instincts of the ill - prepared against one.

Plato was pretty darned sensibly compassionate in some theories,

depending upon which contexts one cradles and hatches those theories within?

Answer 10

We can guide people but we can not do it for them, ultimately the choice is theirs whether to accept the truth or not. Many choose to not.