Understanding Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and Its Implications
Introduction to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
When you start reading, once one has the important knowledge of Plato, we realize that he reports the very famous myth of the cave. This myth is about two men who are closed in a cave, and the only thing they can see are the shadows projected on the cave wall. These men think that the shadows are real beings until one of them comes out and discovers perfect beings. What they saw before was just the copy or shadow of beings that are perfect.
The World of Ideas
Plato uses this allegory to explain the origin of things. He says there is a world beyond our senses, which he calls the world of ideas, where perfect forms exist. The idea that our philosopher was trying to convey is that these forms are true and not merely a mental process as we understand today. Plato stated that all that exists is conceived by an idea.
The Sensible World
In contrast, there is a sensible world that comes from ideas, which acts as the main form and a material principle. This principle is unlimited and indefinite, a physical one. Plato also discusses the soul, which has the right to learn through an agency whose purpose is to take this body and soul to the sight of what comes from contemplation. This process continues until it can land in the eyes brighter than the indwelling itself, according to our doctrine.
The Right to Know
The right to know is the most divine essence, which never loses its momentum, only to return useful or useless, beneficial or harmful, depending on the direction given. A state corresponds to individuals with a privileged nature, dedicated to the most sublime of sciences, seeking goodness in itself and rising through this steep path.
Real Science and Philosophy
To conclude, the real science of philosophy was not music or any other discipline; it was the science of numbers and calculus. Objects that invite reflection on the soul are those that do not produce two opposing feelings at the same time. Things that are bound to reflect are those that originate two conflicting feelings when the senses do not realize that it is this or that other opposite.
Body Dialectics in the World of Ideas
There is another problematic issue in Plato’s ontological theory: the relationship between ideas that have the characteristics of being independent. However, Plato conceives the world of ideas as a hierarchical organization, with lower ideas and higher ideas, so that the higher ideas include the lower ones, culminating in a supreme idea: the idea of the Good.
Structure of Ideas
This type of structure, where a series of beings exist simultaneously as a multiplicity and a unit, is called, since Plato, dialectical structure. To illustrate this, we can picture the world of ideas as a stratified pyramid, where each step collects and incorporates the step above it, summarizing the entire ascent.
Examples of Ideas
For example, consider the ideas of man, equality, and difference: the idea of man implies equality with respect to oneself and is contrary to anything else. However, the idea of equality or the idea of difference does not imply the idea of man. It is deduced that, with independent ideas, the idea of man is a step above equality and difference in the hierarchical ordering of the world of ideas.
The Four Meanings of the Myth of the Cave
- The Degrees of Ontological Reality: The shadows in the back of the cave represent the shadows of human beings or sensitive objects. The world outside the cave symbolizes the world of ideas, while the Sun symbolizes the idea of the Good.
- The Degrees of Knowledge: The view from the shadows symbolizes ‘Eikasia’ or imagination, while the vision of thrown objects symbolizes ‘Pistis’ or belief. The path to the exit symbolizes the rise in levels of knowledge.
- Education: The myth of the cave reaches its full meaning when Plato fulfills the mission of educating the ignorant, guiding them on the path of knowledge.
- The Political Aspect: The myth of the cave also has a political meaning, explaining the essence of the system proposed by Plato: only a wise man can lead society, freeing it from the slavery of ignorance.
The leader is always a servant, working to mitigate risks and enhance the well-being of society.