Philosophers of all eras were interested in the truth and the search for the ultimate answer. Faith often took a centerpiece in this goal, serving as either an indomitable basis for further discussions or as a framework of expanding philosophical views. For this paper, Plato’s allegory of a cave and Saint Augustine’s description of the Truth will be taken into focus. In this essay, the concept of truth will be discussed through the lens of two distinct faith traditions: Ancient Greece and Christianity.
Plato’s Republic contains a well-known allegory on truth and its perceptions. In this example, truth is revealed to those who are willing to seek it and strive to recognize the universal facts. This work of Plato shows that truth can be obtained only by an intelligible person who is willing to seek and accept it through discovery and open-mindedness (“Saint Augustine”). Therefore, he encouraged turning inwards in this search, proclaiming that access to truth is restricted by one’s will (“Saint Augustine”). The sun also plays a crucial role in this revelation within Plato’s allegory. Plato also makes a point regarding the behavior of the masses. An essential part of the story is the reaction of those who actively refused the search for truth, as their aggression reveals the deep-seated ignorance that prevents people from seeing it (Stokes). Through this allegory, Plato shows that ignorance is preferable by those who are unwilling to see past deceptions and untruths.
Saint Augustine is one of the most famous Christian philosophers whose works discuss the topic of truth. His views are based heavily on Biblical readings, through which this philosopher calls for the acceptance of God as the universal Truth. Saint Augustine has come to the realization that, while people are unable to see the Truth, or God, due to its unfathomable distance from them, Christ was sent on Earth to reveal it to the masses (“St. Augustine and the Hope of Finding the Truth”). However, the Truth in accordance with this tradition is hidden not only within but also above in Heaven. One can find themselves and, therefore, the Truth by accepting God and following the righteous path (“St. Augustine and the Hope of Finding the Truth”). The philosopher pointed out that relativism that comes from pointing only inwards when searching for the Truth would lead to the lack of universal connection that people share with God (“St. Augustine and the Hope of Finding the Truth”). Saint Augustine’s views helped shape many future works and continue to serve as a basis for the concept of Truth in Christianity.
As it is evident from these two examples, there are definite similarities between stories. In both Plato’s allegory and Biblical faiths, a cave plays a crucial part of the story, although in a different manner. As it can be seen, both characters were met with hostility and mistrust from the masses to the point of outright murdering them (Stokes). Moreover, both traditions call for the search for the truth within oneself.
However, there are apparent differences between the two concepts. While Plato calls for a man to leave a cage to stop interpreting signs that are only reflections, Christianity shows that the Truth is Christ, as he leaves the cave after the resurrection. Truth in both faith traditions is contained within a person, although Saint Augustine’s point is to obtain not a personal revelation but God. Plato uses the sun as a source of illumination, making it an allegory on knowledge and education, while Augustine puts God in that spot, transforming this comparison into the search for faith. The image of a cave in Christianity represents one’s life without belief, while leaving the cage is an act of true faith. In Plato’s description, a cave depicts one’s ignorance towards the facts and the fundamentals, also described by the author as forms (“St. Augustine and the Hope of Finding the Truth”). Despite being drawn from Plato’s teachings, the concept of truth in Christianity does not imply that intelligence is sufficient for understanding it.
In conclusion, the truth in these faith traditions is represented in a similar fashion, although it has an entirely different context and implications. These obvious correlations create a pattern through which truth is being commonly examined. The concepts point out that the truth is within one’s soul, although Christians add God as a vital catalyst for the success of such search. In the Christian model, one obtains truth by accepting God into their soul, while Plato’s truth calls for the acquisition of knowledge through personal effort. It is clear that Plato’s teachings had a profound influence on Saint Augustine’s works. However, Augustine transformed the image of truth and incorporated it into the very core of the Christian faith. It is vital to understand that Saint Augustine does not condone intelligence by proposing God as a centerpiece in one’s search for truth. Instead, he proposes that the light that will help see all objects in their proper forms is obtained via faith.
Works Cited
“Saint Augustine.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2019.
“St. Augustine and the Hope of Finding the Truth.” Regnum Christi, 2017.
Stokes, Derrick. “Christ, Christianity, and Plato’s Cave.” Christian Apologetics Alliance, 2016.