There is a great multitude of debates in philosophy, and all these discourses have a shared aim of widening and enriching the human mind and soul through asking questions. Interestingly, the very subject of philosophy is constantly losing some of its branches, which become separate sciences like astronomy and psychology. Philosophy, the term that is translated from Ancient Greek as the love of wisdom, contemplates the universe and everything in it, including nature and human beings. Noteworthy, philosophers studied cosmologic and ethical issues, as well as mathematics, biology, and law, including politics and education. This paper aims to discuss Plato’s allegory of the cave as the perspective on the nature of the human mind and its perception of truth and wisdom.
Plato’s Cave Allegory
In Plato’s Republic, there is a chapter devoted specifically to the debate referred to as the ‘cave allegory.’ In the debate, Plato and his companions present an interesting view on the nature of the human mind. Plato describes a cave, and people in the cave, chained to the wall so that they cannot turn their heads, move, or free themselves from the shackles. They sit with their backs to the entrance, behind which, on a dais, a fire is burning. There is a road and a low stone fence between the fire and the cave entrance. People in the cave see only shadows on the wall cast by people or objects they carry. According to Plato, these people will give names to the shadows, and if they hear voices, they will attribute these sounds to the same shadows, since they are unaware of the tangible world.
Then, Plato proposes to imagine that one of the cavemen freed himself from the cave and came out into the light. Then after a while, having rested from the blinding brightness of the day, he will be able to see people and tangible objects and understand the sources of shadows. However, if he has to return to the cave, he is unlikely to find acceptance among the cavemen, since he will not be able to explain his knowledge to them. Such a person will be perceived as having lost their sight, having lost the ability to distinguish between shadows due to a sharp transition into darkness. Probably, he will not want to stay in the cave and will return to the light after a while. It is also likely that if he wants to forcibly free one of the cavemen, they will kill him if possible or will strongly resist.
Interestingly, Plato and his interlocutors further draw an analogy between physical sight and the ability of the soul to perceive truth. Using this analogy, they explain the process of learning or education in general. Then, metaphorically, education an action aimed at shifting the attention of the soul from one object to another, just like when a man from a cave shifted his attention from shadows to visible tangible objects. Equally important, philosophers conclude that the soul of any person can see the light of truth since it was never blind, but only looked at the shadows. Therefore, people who have already seen the light should go down to people with a darkened consciousness and rule them.
The Real-Life Example
Plato’s allegory can be highly relevant in the real-life since it explains why some people should rule other people. Here is an example, which illustrates the importance of understanding the mentioned philosophical allegory. Suppose I have a younger brother who is in a struggle. He is missing classes at university, spends time drinking with friends, and has already received a suspension warning. I know that his desire for pleasure will destroy his present life, which he will have to rebuild from the foundations.
Therefore, I will try to stop my brother and help him choose the right direction. Using Plato’s philosophical approach, I will direct my brother’s gaze to the contemplation of the truth, namely those people who went the same way and what it led to. I will not use pressure, as I understand that the brother will resist enlightenment by force, but I will use the knowledge of my soul to help my brother.
Arguments For and Against the Plato’s Position
Plato claims that the responsibility of a person who has seen the truth is to return to people who have not yet learned it. This is because the law does not care about the welfare of a particular person, but only about the welfare of the entire city. Following utilitarian ethics, the position is correct, since it pursues the goal of the common good. On the other hand, it violates one of the basic requirements of deontological ethics. It deprives a person who has seen the truth of internal moral value and reduces them to the slave of an uneducated crowd. This position also deprives the inner moral value of people who have not yet cognized the truth, since they are reduced to beings deprived of free will and the very possibility of independent cognition.
Thus, Plato’s allegory of the cave was discussed and analyzed in terms of utilitarianism and deontological ethics. In particular, the opinion about the moral obligation of a person to educate others is correct only from the utilitarian position, due to the concept of the common good. However, this position is incorrect from the deontological perspective, that is, the universal understanding of morality, since it violates the ethical law of free will and reduces individuals to subjects devoid of moral intrinsic value.