What Is Plato's Perception Of Reality In The Allegory Of The Cave

Greek Philosopher, Plato wrote a symbolic depiction of people’s perception of reality in The Allegory of the Cave. Plato believed that true knowledge can only be found though education. He also believed that the role of teachers were to guide the scholar on the road to enlightenment, not direct their paths. The role of the government was also to be questioned to ensure that it was serving the greater good of the people. Plato wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and provided a powerful scenario with this particular writing.
The Allegory of the cave is a multilayered depiction of what reality truly based on. The story is shrouded in symbolism, which can be applied to different perspectives. Plato’s narrative opens with him describing a bleak I scene, he begins the story …show more content…
In fact, they were born in the cave, and have been chained and imprisoned since being born. The prisoners aren’t able to look in any direction, other than straight ahead. The only light the prisoners have is fire, which is behind them. The fire allows shadows to be seen. There is also a half wall where statues are placed. These statues are moved and turned by other people, which manipulate the shadows that are seen by the prisoners. The prisoners have no reference between what is real and what is not, so their reality is based on another person’s perception (or manipulation of the statues). Plato goes further with his depiction hypothetically releasing one of the prisoners, who has never even stood up let alone have the chains removed. This prisoner is forced to stand and made to look at the shadows that he believed all along were his reality. Now, he is told that his reality was all an illusion and that everything that he once knew is not as it appears. The prisoner is then taken from the