![]() When the freed prisoner, who represents a philosopher seeking knowledge, is finally able to see the real world and learn about it, he is able to have true thought about real things. So what is the meaning of this allegory? Many philosophers believe it is a look at the effect of education on human beings and the human soul. Now, the prisoners mock the freed prisoner because he cannot see the shadows of objects on the wall in front of him. Plato theorizes that they may even become violent to the other prisoner as he continues to describe the outside world, and descending back into the cave becomes dangerous. As he gains his eyesight and moves into the real world, he gains a greater sense of reality.Īfter understanding greater reality, the prisoner returns to the cave to try to compel the other prisoners to experience this new world, but when he returns to the cave, his eyes can no longer see in the darkness. The freed prisoner moves toward the fire, which temporarily blinds him. Plato’s cave allegory further proposes that one of the prisoners escapes or gains freedom from the cave. Thus, the prisoners are ridiculous when they choose to admire him. Plato uses the game to demonstrate that the master may be praised by others in the same level of knowledge as him, but that he does not actually know truth. When one prisoner guesses correctly, he receives praise from the others, who call him “master.” The game is guessing which shadow appears next. Plato further adds to the allegory by stating that the prisoners will play a game. However, they fully believe that what they see on the cave wall is reality, and even try to name the shadows they see passing by. They have no true knowledge of the real world. This false reality is all that the people in the cave know. Plato theorizes that the group of people tied up in the cave would assume that the shadows they see on the wall are reality. Plato’s theory further states that the echoing sounds the prisoners hear are perceived as reality. The puppets create shadows on the wall of the cave. People walk on a raised walkway between the prisoners and the fire-carrying puppets. Behind the prisoners, a fire casts light and shadow on the wall. ![]() In the cave, a row of prisoners is chained facing a wall. This allegory takes place in a cave with no light in it other than a fire. The Setting Behind the prisoners, a fire casts light and shadow on the wall ![]() It explores the theme of belief versus knowledge. Its main idea is the discussion of how humans perceive reality and if human existence has a higher truth. The main idea of this allegory is the difference between people who simply experience their sensory experiences, and call that knowledge, and those who understand real knowledge by seeing the truth. The allegory actually digs into some deep philosophy, which is not surprising since it comes from Plato. The Allegory Of The Cave Summary: The Main Idea FAQs About the Allegory of the Cave Summary.A Final Word On The Allegory Of The Cave Summary.The Allegory of the Cave in Pop Culture.The Allegory Of The Cave Summary: The Main Idea.
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