Plato's Cave Allegory: Exposing Life's Illusions

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is an excellent introduction to philosophy. Plato’s Socrates tells the story in Book VII of the Republic. The cave allegory tells the story of strange prisoners chained up at the bottom of a mysterious cave, forced to stare at the cave wall where a series of shadows are projected. Staring at these shadows on the wall of the cave is the only life these prisoners know.

But one day, one of Socrates’s imaginary prisoners is freed from his restraints and dragged up and out of the cave. What he finds as he ascends up and out of the cave — into the light of the real world — is one of the most arresting and beautiful stories about education and philosophy ever told. Plato’s cave allegory is a story about philosophy, about its relationship to politics, about education and the tension between old and young.

For Socrates, the cave story is also, in a way, autobiographical; it’s a tale about the costs of the philosophical life. Whether you need a summary of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave to refresh your memory or if you’re looking for an introduction to the allegory of the cave as you start reading Plato, this video should be of use.

#Plato #Cave #Socrates #philosophy

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[WileyHyena]

I remember the day when I first understood the evening news on TV. I was 13 or 14. I realized that I understood what they were talking about for the first time. It was astonishing enough that I remember it to this day and now I'm 60. Surely, education is a component of Plato's allegory. But back then....the thought that people might grow up through their lives until death without ever understanding beyond a child's mentality the world they live in, is to this day a remarkable observation, and somewhat frightening.

[moodforaday-rlww]

Your content is amazing, and the way in which you explain different themes and ideas is so fun to watch

[zeff]

hmmm, interesting 🤨 The same day you posted this video, I had a psychopathology class where they were explaining the default mode network of the brain, which is an interconnected group of brain structures that activate when we are at rest. This network would hypothetically be what makes us daydream, recall some memories, think about the future, etc. The first thing that came to my mind was this allegory of the cave. We are not very good at remembering things, we have certain biases and we omit some things. That is to say, we would be projecting the shadows of our experiences or generating possible futures. My psychopathology teacher told me that it is a very good way of seeing it 🤨😂 As always great video Professor!

[samibabar]

Just explained in the easiest way. Subscribed👌

[anneovachun]

Dang you know how to use your calling...I could watch you for, and do, for hours. Could teach anything ---- have my undivided attention. You go teacher....GO GO GO !

[Mattshakes]

This was a brilliant video. Thank you and I’ll subscribe to your channel.

[AndrewCastrillon]

Great Video! At first I thought it was a person trying to make their way out of the realm of Hades, and once the person got out and, saw paradise for the first time.

[ebrahimlaher]

Thanks for the new video. You have such a cool way of coming across with these concepts. Wish you can post more often

[you-know-who]

Hello from Ireland.

This was an excellent explanation, which together with your video on Social Contract thinking was a valuable 30 minites or so.

Glad I found your channel and it was an easy decision to subscribe.👍

[gklinabq]

I just watched "Le Conformiste" (Bertolucci/1970). Plato's allegory of the cave is mentioned and discussed and appears to be a major theme of the movie, which deals with the rise and fall of Fascism (Mussolini) in Italy. The main character arranges for the assassination of his former professor who is living abroad (France) but represents a threat to the fascist government in Italy due to his subversive activities. Meanwhile, one can also view the puppet masters within the context of the spectacle (Guy Debord - The Situationalists). So yes, I believe Plato's allegory has a political dimension. Fascinating discussion - Thanks for sharing

[joshsmith]

Here before everyone else finds your hidden gem of a channel 👌

[Dino_Medici]

The truly blessed to be successful intro was GOATED

[Greblav]

Are there like step 2. vids on this, without the usual intro which take up time?

[niazmohideen]

What we know versus what is known, is infinitesimally small,
what is known, till now( everything universal and within our conscience, all) versus what is to be known(undiscovered yet) is inconceivable,
hence, the question arises, however much we try with our humanly possible capabilities, to understand the true reality, is beyond our imagination,
so can one conclude, we can move from one allegory, or story to another,
which light will show us the reality, remains a question..,
this search method will always end up with the basic question one started with.
Education is one objective, it's useful to achieve something to improve our situation,
but philosophical guidance to see the end is unrealistic in itself. MN

[warpo]

Basically, Plato is saying: Do not cave-school. (Homeschool) Yes, i'm stoned. I also think he's trying to prove the ignorance of religion.

[sircolt]

Huh. Always thought it's about how we as people can't see the world as it is because it is filtered through our minds. To leave the cave is impossible because it's human to experience through the human mind. Makes sense how you describe it.

Also it makes sense that people become hostile if they feel they are forced to accept something. If it feels like you realise it yourself then you want it.

[MistahPaul]

The questions about who the people are that create the images and the ones standing by the fire: it's always interesting to me how they get perceived as "the media, " etc, some abstract concept.

It seems like they are simply versions of us, who can use fire and tools. The basics of civilization. So, again, us. And the prisoners have no problem with them, don't even know they exist. The freed prisoner attains an even greater level of power that these others seem to use, so in effect becomes greater than them. But as soon as the freed prisoner uses this truth that's more powerful than the puppeteers, that he's killed.

Considering in the Republic, Socrates' labels democracy as the creator of tyranny, Plato may be allegorically showing what happens when you allow, for whatever reason, classes to mix. Especially considering his concept of an ideal city. He remarks several times his belief in the concept of a stationary class structure.

Don't really agree with it either, but I do have to admit I am not studied in all of his works, so just an observation, not concrete evidence or anything.

[Miguel_Gabriel_]

Hello helloooo!!! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

Why do people kill the prophets?

[mdhossin]

I think the lesson of Plato's cave we must share the knowledge with everyone

[kenroberts]

Don’t confuse education with enlightenment.