Allegory of the Cave

Dr. Harrison Kleiner lectures on Plato's Allegory of a Cave for USU 1010.

[educationalramblings]

Nice lecture. Day one in my class, my students had to explain the Buddha quote, " believe nothing, no matter where you've read it, no matter who has said it, even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense." It was all over my room with the word THINK above it. I challenged my students on day one to question anything said in the room, whether it was me saying it or a classmate. What's interesting with The Cave, is that there really isn't just one Power group in our lives. At the beginning there is, our parents, but as we age, we have teachers, then media, and gov etc all casting their own shadows and that is where the discomfort begins. Where we have the thoughts like: "but I thought" or "wow, I never knew." Another quote I would introduce my students to is, "where you stand depends on where you sit". To let them know that our experiences shape our views and conversations can get uncomfortable because you have two people who sat, basically, in two different caves. When two different cave dwellers meet.... oh, boy, that can get tough. Lol. The one who is able to not get so emotional during the meeting is the one who can take the time to understand why the person thinks the way they do. That doesn't mean you must agree with or believe what they are telling you, but you can see where their views are coming from. I think those who can best understand that they have been chained up in many caves, has the best chance to not let a new light disturb them.

[nilacurry]

" nobody can be led where they don't want to go" ... I hollered, that was so good.

[libertandre]

This is one of the most excellent lecture I have ever heard on Plato's Cave, the Dr. Kleiner has not only summed up an allegory, but a physical and mental procedure that we all practice in life, several times.

[kenarutunian]

I love this work by Plato. The irony...those held prisoner aren't aware of the chains that bind them. You can imagine when one is "dragged" out for a proper education, those left behind would come up with a narrative that the individual is being punished for something they must have done! Then you can imagine a whole scenario of new rules for behavior in the "cave" to prevent anyone else from being taken away for punishment. It's fascinating and very relevant for the way we live a life in this existence.

[donnagooch]

Wish I’d had more teachers like Dr. Kleiner. Thank you, Doctor

[SonyWilliam]

This professor is so eloquent wow. Amazing lecture. Lucky students :)

[TeddyNabbaale]

I really appreciate Dr. Kleiner's effort in helping me understand the concept better. His explanation was clear and well-structured, which made it easy for me to grasp the topic.

[ramasita]

i actually enjoyed this lecture. i just came from watching The Allegory of the Cave from Ted Ed, then came here for a deeper understand of the allegory. and i was not disappointed. it was so enlightening. am from the Philippines, and 59 years old, fyi. thanks a lot, Dr. Harrison Kleiner. Salamat po!

[karljay]

I was shown an animated movie in a speech class in college called "the cave". Was pretty amazed that after 2 years of prior college, included a sub in philosophy, I didn't see it before. One professor, long ago, pointed out how things from so long in the past, were still relevant then.
One other note: the resistance that the people at the bottom of the cave had. It's one battle to find the truth, another to show others that what they see isn't the truth. Mark Twain said: it's easier to fool people than it is to convince people they've been fooled.

[nickbergen]

Excellent. Should be mandatory viewing for more folks.

[andreysimeonov]

One of the bests lectures that I've ever seen. My huge respects.

[phaedrussmith]

The Allegory of the Cave isn’t about “education“ as much as it is about awareness and knowledge and at a more developed point of discussion the awareness that current knowledge is little more than a different point of “conventional” thought and opinion on a spectrum leading to enlightenment and truth (the Professor at 15:41).

The very moment The Allegory of the Cave is taught in a school it ceases to be that which Plato was referencing in the story. By their very nature, educational institutions inculcate, they don’t educate. In fact, the students in that classroom are having chains bound to them by their need to accept the Professor’s approved interpretation of the Allegory (e.g., “There will be a quiz.” @30:53. The quiz isn’t about what The Allegory of the Cave is about, it’s about what the Professor thinks The Allegory of the Cave is about notwithstanding his “by no means would I want to insist that the reading I’ve given it here is the only reading that could be given“ at 30:39. If that‘s the truth, Professor, don‘t give a quiz, or at least give everyone an “A” no matter what he or she answers). Along those lines, referencing Socrates’ method of teaching, the Banking Model of education and using Paulo Freire‘s name in a lecture that has negligible student participation - and when it does it’s Socratic only to the extent the students are allowed to finish the Professor’s thought - misses the point as well.

Or at least that’s what some scraggly homeless guy told me one day at a bus stop when he noticed I was reading “The Republic.” Fortunately the cops came and arrested him for being disobedient to the system so I didn’t have to listen to any more of his bullshit that day.

[andjelinavukosavljevic]

I wish i had professors like this.Thank you for the lesson.

[infinityrmx]

Great lecture! Especially from 24:00 until the end it's a really valuable interpretation

I wish my school / university had been more relentless about making EVERY student understand that learning is active (and about desire to understand) until EVERYONE actually gets this fundamental truth 100%. Using the cave allegory is the perfect vehicle to get this point across imo

[jeremiahabbott]

17:00 The Church
Okay, where was this lecture when I needed it the most?
What a lecture and interpretation. Thank You.

[ericbarnes]

I love this presentation of the Allegory. I've borrowed heavily from it in my own teaching. Thanks Prof. Kleiner!

[mirandian]

Thank you so much for such a powerful lecture, I found it really helpful.

[theodorekyriakos]

More than happy to have a real time conversation that o think might be mutually beneficial! Really enjoyed your presentation

[marionpotter]

Amazing lecture what a gifted Professor !I just started studying Philosophy class in college and I am glad I came across this !

[MrSireddy]

Great explanation, giving me a lot of input for my exam! Really inspiring!
Thank you Dr. Kleiner