Plato's Analogy of the Cave

by lizvaz777 (student)

AS and A Level Religious Studies & Philosophy

“Show what ideas Plato is trying to convey in his Analogy of the Cave” – (25 Marks)

Intro- 3 main ideas

Plato’s analogy of the cave is one of the most famous passages in his “Republic”. It is one the three similes that Plato uses to illustrate his theory of forms. Allegorical, elements of the analogy are symbolical. There is much debate as to how to interpret this analogy amongst philosophers. Plato was trying to convey the idea that our perception of this world is not 100% accurate. That we don't know the reality of our surroundings, we just arrogantly claim to have accurate perception.

Forms

The distinction is crucial. The world we live is a world of appearances but the real world is a world of ideals, known as forms. World of appearance- imitations of the True Form. By form, Plato meant the idea of what a thing is. The term “thing” can be applied to pretty much anything like a table or a cat but Plato was concerned with “things” like beauty, truth, justice and the Good. It is important to note however that concepts such as beauty can be applied to many different objects.

The forms are said to ...

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Forms

The forms are said to be unchanging, timeless and eternal. Hence Plato’s emphasis on the importance of the real world compared to the changing world of appearances. In this world there are only shadows and images of the Forms.

Immortal Soul

As humans, we are born with a dim recollection of what Forms are according to Plato’s theory of the immortal soul. Our soul observed the forms before we were incarnated into a body. Plato supports this claim by stating that this is where we get our basic understanding of truth, justice and beauty.

Education

Above the ground, the prisoner gradually begins to see. This is an analogy to the philosopher gradually learning to distinguish Forms from the images in the world. The released prisoner comes to contemplate the sun, which represents the form of the good. Plato suggests that justice, truth, equality, beauty, and many others ultimately derive from the Form of the Good.

Leaders of Society

The analogy of the cave raises issues about who is the most suitable person to rule society and about the state in which most people exist, in ignorance of the forms. Knowledge of the forms is an essential quality of any ruler so that he will govern wisely for society’s good and not for their own self interests. In the Republic, Plato criticized philosophers and politician who lead the people but do not actually know the truth. Plato believed that people need to be taught how to understand the forms so they could see clearly. However the actual act of teaching people could be potentially distressing, hence why the prisoner is described as being dragged up into the sunlight.