- Introduction to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
- What would happen if a prisoner were to escape, and see reality beyond the shadows?
- A Psychological Interpretation of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
- Why is it so hard to go back into ignorance once enlightened?
- Herein lies the beauty of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave was written by Plato, in his work Republic, around 375 BC. This allegory can be interpreted as a representation of the the dichotomy between free thinkers and those who subscribe to collective world-views.
Introduction to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave begins with an image of prisoners chained in a cave who are unable to turn their heads. These prisoners can only view the wall in front of them. Directly behind the prisoners, is an infinitely-burning fire, and between the fire and the prisoners, is a pathway where “Puppeteers” walk. The puppeteers hold up images of animals and real objects that cast shadows upon the wall that the prisoners are viewing. The puppeteers also make noises the go along with the puppets. However, since the prisoners cannot turn their heads, they are unaware of what is actually happening behind them.
These prisoners perceive the shadows for the purest form of reality, and do not know what is actually creating the shadows. To the prisoners, a world beyond the shadows does not exist. It is also evident that the prisoners do not even have enough curiosity to discover what is truly happening.
What would happen if a prisoner were to escape, and see reality beyond the shadows?
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave explains this in depth.
One of the prisoners escapes his chains and climbs the stairs out of the cave. He is greeted by a blinding light (sun) as he ventures outside of the cave. Once his eyes adjust, he sees a bright and vibrant landscape full of life and color. He sees colorful flying birds, clouds in the sky, plants, and flowing water. He even sees animals that appear to be similar in shape to the shadows on the cave wall. In awe, the escaped prisoner is struck with revelation and continues exploring this new world motivated by his newfound curiosity.
After some time on the outside, excitedly, the escaped prisoner returns to the cave to share what he’s witnessed with the other prisoners. He climbs back down the stairs into the darkness, where the other prisoners are still chained up. After passionately sharing his experiences of the outside; from the bright light, to the colorful birds and animals, the prisoners who are still chained up, begin dismissing his stories and treating them as delusion. And since the escaped prisoner would not relent on his story telling, the other prisoners eventually murder him.
Why is this? Why were the other prisoners so quick to dismiss the REAL experience of the prisoner who ventured far outside their own realms of imagination?
A Psychological Interpretation of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
To begin, let’s remember…
- The prisoners have never experienced anything outside of their own realm of experience (shadows on the wall).
- This shadow reality is the only thing the prisoners have known, so they have accepted it as reality and have based their entire language around these forms.
- The prisoners have structured their entire understanding of the world around these forms.
- Their minds have never experienced anything outside of these forms.
These prisoners have become comfortable with the worldview. It works for them, and has kept them alive and entertained their entire lives. There has been no need to think of life outside the cave.
Everything they need physiologically is provided to them. They are not aware of any delicacies beyond their realm of reality, and their simple pleasures are enough for them. The prisoners have become comfortable. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave paints this picture perfectly.
Their minds are transfixed on the shadows, the scents of the cave, the sounds of the puppeteers and their own bodily urges. The shadows have a way of appeasing every need, that does not need to take place in physical reality (eating, drinking, bathing, shelter, etc.). Cravings for love, lust, entertainment, social interaction, emotional spectrum, uncertainty and power are all tended to by the shadows.
The prisoner who escaped had received powerful imprints on his mind by seeing the outside world. Although the version of reality that the escaped prisoner saw was TRUER in form than the shadows, this new worldview had opposed the captive prisoner’s. The captive prisoners were still asleep to the purer form of reality. This would mean that they would need to completely redesign their language, and special version of reality- it could even mean that they lose whatever status they had gained through “understanding” the shadows. There is an abundance of motivation for them to preserve their worldview.
- Preservation of language
- Preservation of status in their “society”
- Fear of confronting anything new
- Avoidance of danger and new challenges
- Comfort in their worldview
- Afraid of being ostracized from their own social groups
– The list goes on, if you can think of any more motivations, add them to the comments below!
Why is it so hard to go back into ignorance once enlightened?
When one gains clear understanding in the light of knowledge and wisdom, it becomes exceedingly difficult to revert back into the darkness of ignorance. This is due to several reasons that shed light on why such a transition is challenging.
Firstly, the acquisition of knowledge brings about a sense of clarity and awareness. Once one becomes enlightened, they gain insights and perspectives that allow them to see the world through a new lens. This new vantage point exposes them to different truths and realities, breaking the shackles of their previous limited understanding. It is this newfound clarity that makes it hard to embrace ignorance, as the individual has already experienced the transformative power of knowledge.
Secondly, enlightenment often comes with a deep sense of personal growth and liberation. The process of acquiring knowledge is often accompanied by personal introspection and the breaking down of old beliefs and prejudices. As a result, individuals experience a heightened sense of freedom and empowerment. They learn to question the status quo, challenge existing norms, and make more informed decisions. Going back to ignorance would mean surrendering this individual growth and returning to a state of intellectual confinement, which is inherently difficult once a taste of liberation has been experienced.
Furthermore, enlightenment fosters curiosity and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Once one delves into the realm of understanding, they are driven to seek further truths, explore new subjects, and expand their intellectual horizons. This constant hunger for knowledge becomes an integral part of their identity, shaping their thoughts and actions. Going back into ignorance would entail abandoning this innate curiosity and stunting personal growth, which is psychologically challenging for individuals seeking continuous intellectual and personal development.
Lastly, enlightenment often brings about a greater sense of responsibility. When individuals become aware of the power of knowledge and its potential to bring positive change, they often feel compelled to share and utilize that knowledge for the betterment of society. This newfound sense of purpose and responsibility towards spreading wisdom and combating ignorance becomes deeply ingrained in one’s values. Consequently, going back to ignorance would not only contradict this personal commitment but also seem morally challenging, as it would mean shying away from the responsibility to contribute to the greater good.
In conclusion, the difficulty in reverting back to ignorance once enlightened stems from the clarity and awareness gained, the personal growth and liberation experienced, the insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the sense of responsibility that enlightenment brings. These factors combine to create a significant barrier to embracing ignorance, as the allure and transformative nature of knowledge make it hard to abandon once it has been acquired.
Herein lies the beauty of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave can be interpreted in many different ways. It even contains the archetypes that were used to write the story of the Matrix! Once you understand Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, you can see its parallels even in today’s realty. Plato wrote the Republic around 514 AD, and it is still just as relevant today. Plato may have even been predicting the evolution of technology, and how it has taken the place of shadows on the wall.
Are you comfortable being a prisoner? Or are you the one who escapes the cave, in search of something beyond your current reality?
As a former Philosophy student and teacher I found this very interesting and enjoyable! Thank you for bringing a smile to my face!
Great! Thank you for reading :)
As written in Plato’s Hermocrates Dialogue from Socrates in 404 BC, the Greek Vikingar discovered America in expeditions hundreds of years earlier. Mjolnir Erochson crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Verde Island c.1200BC. After many months of exploration, his travels along the coast going north brought him to the Arctic Circle. Having already explored the western coast of Europe earlier, he knew of the ice field from his time around Norway. Traveling east from America, he discovered Greenland on October 9th. Returning to Europe, he then headed back to Egypt. Tartarus was moved to Carthage due to his discovery, the Phoenician boat people set sail with the Sagas as their testament. The Peloponnesian War forced the North African nation to move to the Baltic Sea. The Punic Wars forced the Greeks to establish the Mayan Civilization in 250BC. The Orion Circle of the Aegean was moved to the Tree of Life in America (Yggdrasil). The Dragon biting its own tail was created by the Vikingr explorers down the East Coast to Mesoamerica, up the Mississippi to the St. Lawrence River, to Vineland Station. Liefr Ericcson had five incarnations… as in turning over a new leaf. People tending to the Tree of Life, branches of the Mississippi River, camped during the winter months in Teotihuacan. The Religion of Thor. Templar replaced the Vikings in 1066 AD, in seeking the Holy Grail, the original Pelagian Greek bloodline. Henry VIII, was descendant of Samson of Israel, Heracles of Greece, Tiberius of Carthage, Henry Bartholemeus of Spain, Henry Bartholomew of Bimini, to Henry Sinclair of Scotland… last Byzantine family to rule over America.