Reason is not necessarily the means to the better life, or towards procuring ‘the good,’ from the view of these latter thinkers. It seems that Nietzsche would problematize the allegory of the den, in this respect, to no end.
From a Nietzschean perspective, the relativity of our values, and the ways they merely reflect the power dynamics and social and political undercurrents of our age, begs the question of their effect on our reason (Nietzsche, 1989, p.46-47). The supposed ‘good’ or ‘moral worth’ of philosophical inquiry, implied by Plato in the allegory of the den, is something that Nietzsche would have to challenge. In the contexts of Plato’s allegory, its seems Nietzsche would beg us to question whether, in fact, leaving the cave …show more content…
As said before, in viewing the allegory of the den, Freud might question whether the virtuous character given to reason is not, perhaps, a bit of a fantasy; a sublimation of our repressed desires for pleasure, thwarted by society, within the wish that reason could be something more, ensuring our means for happiness (Freud, 2010, p. 48-49). For wouldn’t it be nice if, like a religion, the practice of reason could deliver us from all the suffering and torment of life (Freud, 2010, p. 44-45)? Wouldn’t it be nice if Plato, in leading us out of the cave, had lead us to a better world or, at least, the better understanding needed to make it? What if it could lead us only to further …show more content…
Philosophical inquiry, from Plato’s view, seems to have a very vital and practical purpose in the health and stability of the polis. And of course for Aristotle, it is the use of reason that provides us the surest way to the good life; for if we can live moderately, and discover the virtues in life we must pursue to achieve the good life. Reason here enables us to free ourselves from vice and conform our desires to a rational plan or set of
From a Nietzschean perspective, the relativity of our values, and the ways they merely reflect the power dynamics and social and political undercurrents of our age, begs the question of their effect on our reason (Nietzsche, 1989, p.46-47). The supposed ‘good’ or ‘moral worth’ of philosophical inquiry, implied by Plato in the allegory of the den, is something that Nietzsche would have to challenge. In the contexts of Plato’s allegory, its seems Nietzsche would beg us to question whether, in fact, leaving the cave …show more content…
As said before, in viewing the allegory of the den, Freud might question whether the virtuous character given to reason is not, perhaps, a bit of a fantasy; a sublimation of our repressed desires for pleasure, thwarted by society, within the wish that reason could be something more, ensuring our means for happiness (Freud, 2010, p. 48-49). For wouldn’t it be nice if, like a religion, the practice of reason could deliver us from all the suffering and torment of life (Freud, 2010, p. 44-45)? Wouldn’t it be nice if Plato, in leading us out of the cave, had lead us to a better world or, at least, the better understanding needed to make it? What if it could lead us only to further …show more content…
Philosophical inquiry, from Plato’s view, seems to have a very vital and practical purpose in the health and stability of the polis. And of course for Aristotle, it is the use of reason that provides us the surest way to the good life; for if we can live moderately, and discover the virtues in life we must pursue to achieve the good life. Reason here enables us to free ourselves from vice and conform our desires to a rational plan or set of