Introduction
Acquiring knowledge is actual progress to people as it assures sustained better lifestyles. Plato describes the experience in his Allegory of the Cave as he communicates a message to Glaucon (Peterson 275). His perspective on knowledge entails understanding the worth of doing good. Plato makes a vital comparison with light from the fire and the sun. Ideally, the individuals sitting facing the wall of a cave represent individuals living in modern society. Light from the fire, in this case, illustrates shadow knowledge acquired from social media platforms. This allegory also notes that one of the chained men moves to sunlight, which changes his perspective on shadows. It is essential to understand that knowledge should be acquired from truthful sources of information. The credibility of information sources is instrumental in acquiring the right knowledge for accurate decision-making among individuals as depicted in the allegory.
Main body
Plato communicates vital messages to a diverse audience using the concept of chained individuals in a cave. For instance, Plato expresses the essence of acquiring accurate and authentic information on accurate knowledge acquisition (Peterson 276). The approach is relevant in modern societies as internet technology has brought information closer to many people. Traditionally, people accessed data from physical documents and files stored in insecure libraries. Individuals who lacked access to such sources would find it difficult to improve their knowledge due to restricted information. This phenomenon has changed as noted symbolically in Plato’s allegory. In this message, he urges the audience to remain cautious about their sources of information as it influences effective decision-making. Most fundamentally, internet technology has contributed to the ease of information access, as evidenced in conservative and liberal communities. Social media has informed people and improved decision-making but failed in the development of correct and accurate knowledge.
Many people are attracted to social media platforms, which enable virtual and real-time communication among individuals. According to Plato, the source of light was critical in determining the truth behind the shadows passing behind the chained men. However, his allegory notes that right knowledge entails the perception of good. However, information spread through social media platforms depicts ill motivation, as illustrated in modern societies. For instance, dangerous video content spread across Facebook leads to the wrong knowledge. The target audience of such information motivates and incites people negatively. According to this allegory, the realm of expertise in recognizing good is contradicted by doubtful information acquired as fake news (Peterson 275). This message is essential to individuals with active use of technology innovation in modern societies. As noted in Plato’s allegory, social media platforms could provide light to indicate accurate shadows.
Plato’s message is vital to individuals in different contexts, as described in modern societies. For instance, teenagers and young adults require the right information for understanding knowledge as well (Peterson 277). The former category has access to internet technology and is an active user of social media platforms. For instance, the addictive use of Instagram and WhatsApp is attributed to teenagers in many communities. Similarly, young adults use Google Plus and YouTube during their morning, afternoon, and evening free time. These are useful sources of modern information that enhance the required knowledge of good, like Plato. However, most populations’ mentioned categories engage in the wrong access to information which results in the understanding of evil. Many social vices are attributed to the inappropriate access to modern sources of information, including explicit content, racial insults, and extremist views. Acquiring information the wrong way results in a distorted judgment which describes one’s effectiveness in decision-making.
The realm of knowledge entails an accurate understanding of the good in truth. Plato communicates the essence of recognizing good as a result of acquiring the right source of information. In his allegory, he acknowledges that the light from the fire solely determines chained men’s decisions. However, the truth and accuracy of shadows result in transformed judgment after getting out of the cave to the sun (Peterson 278). This perspective is essential to teenagers and young adults in their online activities in modern times. These individuals are privileged to access information as internet technology advances. Consequently, Plato’s allegory should be useful to individuals seeking the right information to understand information as the concept of doing good. For instance, comprehending the real knowledge of good and truth would enhance decision-making at personal and professional levels.
Sources of information can be credited and discredited with equal measures depending on an individual’s perspective. In this discussion, some people might claim that modern sources of information are credible as they bring information closer than before. Modern sources of information are accurate when compared with traditional libraries. For instance, many people in remote regions lacked access to public libraries, which acted as useful information sources. Profit-making entities were also challenged in acquiring strategic information for competing with other firms. Fortunately, contemporary information with the development of the internet has transformed the perspectives of people. Individuals claiming that modern sources are credible fail to acknowledge challenges attributed to information learned from the internet. However, this claim can be disputed with difficulties encountered in proving the authenticity of contemporary information sources.
This claim can be disproved when the argument is perceived from different perspectives. For instance, the credibility of information should be determined by effective procedures that provide accurate details and data. For instance, describing video footage should be executed with exclusive accuracy to ensure the audience acquires the right information. This credibility is difficult to be proven as technology innovation transforms rapidly. Legal measures of disproving information should take effect to ensure that Plato’s argument of knowledge remains relevant. In essence, ensuring privacy should accompany processes that prove the credibility of modern information. This, according to Plato’s allegory, would contribute to the knowledge of good. The audience acquiring information from online sources should capitalize on available credibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Plato’s allegory is focused on the sources of knowledge, as depicted in the cave. The shadows seen on the wall describe the level of information acquired to make conclusions. However, the allegory notes that one of the chained men gets an informed perspective on shadows upon arriving above the cave with sunlight (Peterson 283). Ideally, Plato communicates to individuals in modern societies with adequate access to information. However, reaching the realm of knowledge using online sources requires credibility, as described earlier. Internet technology has been useful in improving access to information in modern times. Teenagers and young adults should seek the accurate information required to achieve the realm of knowledge noted in the allegory. Most importantly, Plato demonstrates how the right information leads to accurate and relevant decision-making in modern societies.
Work Cited
Peterson, Valerie V. “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Literacy and “the good”.” Review of Communication vol.17, no.4, 2017, pp. 273-287.