Plato's Cave | Plato | Keyword

In this episode, I present Plato's allegory of the cave.

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Twitter: @DavidGuignion
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[suzieQna]

You have no idea how topical this is. Thank you!

[giovannadellana]

Hey man! Great vid, I enjoyed it a lot. Just wanted to bring up some interesting points. Just bear in mind that I'm Italian - I apologize if I make some mistakes :)
For starters, I'm an etymology enthusiast and I can try to hereby explain what those Greek words mean.
Firstly, the shadows that are cast on the wall are called 'eikasia', meaning an illusion; that is comparable to art. Plato was critical of it because he believed that the world wherein we live is just an imperfect copy of the world of forms, and art is nothing but the copy of the imperfect copy. It's noteworthy that there are numerous interpretations, but the one I stick to is that where the people casting the shadows are Sophists. Sophists were these philosophers who claimed that everything is relative and culture dependant and so on, which Plato could not gloss over, since that would have meant not questioning oneself about what is Good and what is not. That would have also had massive implications on his whole philosophical system. Thus Sophists don't but cast a shadow on true knowledge, telling people (prisoners) that is the real world. Next up we have the fire and the objects: this is called 'pistis', meaning 'belief', which isn't yet a true form of knowledge. This encompasses what we see on earth, even though our senses might as well be elusive or just false. Then, when the prisoner gets to see the 'real world' out of the cave, that is called 'episteme', meaning reason, science, from which you can easily tell what modern epistemology is all about. Here, the prisoner is now free (metaphorically freed from the Sophists and physically) and starts wandering around, seeing the lake mirroring the essence of true things, and even the Sun. His eyes get then used to it and he can even gaze at the sun ( being the world of Forms) without being "dazzled" nor blinded: that is 'Noesis' which is philosophical wisdom and intelligence. Then, the man who has now grown strong and free in his new wisdom comes back to the cave to rescue his beloved fellows. He tries to convince them, but they poke fun at him, who's now unable to see the shadows. They then go on beating him and killing him. Notwithstanding the fact that it is quite cruel and creepy, Plato alluded to Socrates and the way he died ( he was condemned by Athens' democracy because it was thought that he was corrupting youth and could cause some troubles). Another thing I'd add to your video is that I'd rather say that the world of forms is BEYOND ours, and not beneath. The Demiurge created the world out of pre-existing matter and shaped it similar to world of forms, and our utmost possibility is gazing at those forms through our 'Noesis' and be at one with them through the power of philosophy and love (see Symposium). So there you have it guys ;) . I'd like to receive some comments and feedback, because I really think this is such an interesting topic and also an opportunity to exchange ideas :)

[AngelicaAtomic]

This is the best sleepy time lecture. Also, you are incredibly charming when you stumble a little bit over your words. It’s hard to explain, but keep doing what you do.

[jeremy]

I’m fairly certain that the reason that it is important to mention that the dudes who only watch shadows had seen the real world when they were infants is that Plato believed that our concept of forms is innate, being that we know forms of things before we are born.

[pretty]

You're voice is so soothing and you're so attractive and I'm too sleepy to watch this 😭

[harsh]

3:38 it's called "Geometer"

Great Video btw :)

[Zing_art]

Thanks :) I recollect a lecture where similarities were drawn between Plato's cave and Marx's idea of factory. As to how both alienated the worker/prisoner.

[eliteenglishlearningcenter]

Dearest and respected Sir,
By watching your videos, a flame of interest arises inside me to start reading and understanding the philosophy, different isms and understand thinkers and analysts; however, it seems difficult for me to decide from do I need to take start. My request is to help me in deciding what should i read first that can lead me ahead.
I will impatiently be waiting for you response.