Plato Allegory Essay

1. The purpose of the allegory is to make it able to direct a relationship between a character, object, or place and an idea or concept. An allegory shows expressions through symbols, allowing the reader to use their imagination. This form of writing easily attracts the attention of its reader. 2. The cave symbolizes the ignorance of mankind. Within the cave, mankind is unaware of any existing world outside of the wall that is placed directly in front of the prisoners. I do believe that there are other possible interpretations. This interpretation could be material world, and physical world we experience. 3. I believe the prisoners in the cave are symbols of humanity. The common human who does not know what reality is until they are unchained and released 4. I believe the prisons are chained in The Allegory of the Cave because of the many restrictions humanity has to withstand. The prisoners are forced to see things from a certain perspective. Chains could possibly symbolize the laws. 5. I believe the puppet masters represent society, education, and religion. The puppet masters shape the understanding of the prisoners. Within societies, education, and religion shape our understanding and are responsible for how we learn. 6. A prisoner would be released from their bonds and cured of their delusions. However, this escape may involve confusion and difficulty. The prisoner’s vision would be at fault and provide struggle. They would experience a whole new world. 7. The prisoner that escaped would be made a fool if one attempted to return to the cave. The other prisoners would question and ruin all possible sight. If the prisoner attempted to lead one up, it is possible they would kill that prisoner. 8. I think â€Å"the good† refers to the light which is justice and enlightenment. 9. Socrates goes on to say that their argument indicates that knowledge is innate in each one of us. He compares our brain to an eye that can’t be turned from bad to good unless our whole body is turned. Socrates says this is similar to the way that our whole mind must be turned away from the world until we can handle reality. 10. Socrates says that the ultimate â€Å"job of lawgivers† is to require the best mind to reach the highest form of knowledge. He also says their job is to strive for vision of the good, and when that is reached, stop them from active how they are allowed to be then. 1. I do think the people today can be prisoners existing in a cave as Plato states. Although we may say somebody is a prisoner, it may not mean that they are actually in jail. There are many prisoners in jail for doing crimes but also there are many people who have never committed a crime who are prisoners. The cave that they are in is their own beliefs. 2. I do believe that the images on the cave wall could represent modern symbols. The images on the cave wall represented what the prisoners thought was present in the exiting world that they were in. the modern version of the images could be compared to the religions groups that choose not to conform to the rest of the world. They know about the outside world and all it has to offer but they choose not to accept that life style. 3. I do believe that there are current examples of the puppet masters. Today the puppet masters could represent teachers, priests, the Police, and security guards. 4. I believe there is a modern view of â€Å"the Good. † Examples of â€Å"the good† in modern views would be religion, family, job, or the idea that someone holds close.