Compare and contrast Socrates ' attitude about philosophy (Apology and Allegory of the Cave Readings) with the Good Brahmin 's (Voltaire) attitude, conclude the essay by comparing both Socrates’ and the Good Brahmin’s attitudes to your own view on philosophy.
With the three provided readings, Plato 's 'The Apology ', and his allegory of the cave, that features in his rather lengthy work 'The Republic ', along with Voltaire 's 'Story of the Good Brahmin ', I believe it would be a good idea to set out what philosophical ideas are apparent in each of these extracts, before comparing my interpretation of them to each other. Following this I will briefly give my own ideas surrounding the themes raised in these extracts.
The first work that …show more content…
The allegory of the cave is written in support of his theory of forms, which seeks to show that the world as we know it is made up of only a representation of reality and is not reality itself. There is also a world of ideals, the world of forms, which contains the reality of which our perceived world is only a representation. The allegory of the cave seeks to demonstrate the contrast between these worlds by showing the contrast between our world and one in which only the shadows generated from our world are perceived. As our world is to the cave dweller, so much more real and vivid, so the world of forms is to …show more content…
I have found myself always looking to learn new things and have already dedicated 10 years of my life studying at a university level to attempt to satisfy the urge to learn. In the same way as the Brahmin, I find that the more I educate myself, the more I realise how little I know, and it is like every book I open requires two more books to truly unlock it 's meaning. It is certainly a journey that is worthwhile for me but it is important to realise that it is not one that everyone desires to take. Some will be much happier than I will ever be by not having to question anything in their life.
In conclusion I believe that both Voltaire and Plato are expressing similar views in setting the value of truth and questioning higher than a simple unquestioning life. I have the same view, as I imagine all others who have chosen this module will, but it is important to recognise that this is not the only way to live ones life.
References:
Plato. (n.d.). 'Apology ' (B. Jowett, Trans.). The Internet Classics Archive. Retrieved from
With the three provided readings, Plato 's 'The Apology ', and his allegory of the cave, that features in his rather lengthy work 'The Republic ', along with Voltaire 's 'Story of the Good Brahmin ', I believe it would be a good idea to set out what philosophical ideas are apparent in each of these extracts, before comparing my interpretation of them to each other. Following this I will briefly give my own ideas surrounding the themes raised in these extracts.
The first work that …show more content…
The allegory of the cave is written in support of his theory of forms, which seeks to show that the world as we know it is made up of only a representation of reality and is not reality itself. There is also a world of ideals, the world of forms, which contains the reality of which our perceived world is only a representation. The allegory of the cave seeks to demonstrate the contrast between these worlds by showing the contrast between our world and one in which only the shadows generated from our world are perceived. As our world is to the cave dweller, so much more real and vivid, so the world of forms is to …show more content…
I have found myself always looking to learn new things and have already dedicated 10 years of my life studying at a university level to attempt to satisfy the urge to learn. In the same way as the Brahmin, I find that the more I educate myself, the more I realise how little I know, and it is like every book I open requires two more books to truly unlock it 's meaning. It is certainly a journey that is worthwhile for me but it is important to realise that it is not one that everyone desires to take. Some will be much happier than I will ever be by not having to question anything in their life.
In conclusion I believe that both Voltaire and Plato are expressing similar views in setting the value of truth and questioning higher than a simple unquestioning life. I have the same view, as I imagine all others who have chosen this module will, but it is important to recognise that this is not the only way to live ones life.
References:
Plato. (n.d.). 'Apology ' (B. Jowett, Trans.). The Internet Classics Archive. Retrieved from