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Allegory of the cave drawing6/28/2023 Furthermore, the naming of the objects through competition and discussions makes clear the implicit sense of community amongst the prisoners and the influence they may have on one another’s “truth”. In essence, the prisoners don’t see the shadows as just shadows, but as their reality. Thus, these prisoners were forced only to see shadows of reality and construct their worlds from shadows of the truth. As these shadows were cast and occasional echoes were muttered by the unknown individuals, prisoners would discuss the names of these things with one another (Republic 515b). Lining this walkway, there is a wall where unknown individuals “show the puppets” and “ all sorts of artifacts” which cast shadows upon the cave wall the prisoners are facing (Republic 514b-c). There is a fire behind the prisoners and between the two there is a tall walkway. Socrates starts by asking Glaucon to imagine a cave of prisoners bound since childhood, forced to look at the cave wall in front of them. Ultimately, the Allegory of the Cave can be seen as a paradigm for Socrates’ own journey.Ī first parallel can be drawn between the shadows in the cave allegory and the Socrates’ defense of the old charges made against him. Two specific portions of the text encourage a parallel reading of them: the first being at the end of cave allegory, Socrates asks Glaucon if the prisoner returns with the truth might be killed by the other prisoners (517a) much like the verdict for Socrates’ trial in the Apology the second being at the start of the Apology, Socrates acknowledges he must defend himself “as though fighting with shadows” (18d) much like the shadows cast upon the wall in the cave allegory. In Plato’s Apology, the presentation and reception of the old charges, new charges, and Socrates’ sentencing create a parallel with, respectively, the shadows, puppets, and enlightened prisoner in the Allegory of the Cave of Plato’s Republic (514a – 518d). ![]() Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is found in his Republic, in which Socrates explains the journey of a soul from the dark into the light (from ignorance to truth) and the issues it may present for those who become enlightened to the level of philosophy.
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