Enlightenment vs. Ignorance

Plato's Cave Allegory The allegorical account presented by Plato in the form of "The Cave" is very informative and educating if assessed and looked at from the proper perspective. The author of this report is to look at the movements and reactions of the mobile person in the cave. Plato is obviously making a point about life and how best to experience and learn from it.

The author of this report shall give a quick summary of the movements of the man and what occurs around him and what changes greatly when his gaze is removed from the wall. While opinions and interpretations of this allegory may vary, the overall message Plato was trying to communicate is pretty clear.

Before getting into the analysis of what precisely Plato was trying to say through the cave allegory, it should be first be summarized what precisely happened and was explained so that the interpretations can be backed up with the applicable context. At first, there are a line of people that are chained in front of a wall in a way that they cannot move around and their gaze is affixed only on the wall. After this, there is a fire built as well as a walkway.

Items then pass between the prisoners and the fire and this causes shadows to cast upon the wall in full view of the prisoners. However, the prisoners see only the shadows. They do not know anything beyond that as these people have been imprisoned since childhood (Plato, 2010). One of the prisoners is then freed and sees not only the light and the objects but eventually leaves the cave entirely and comes to experience everything else in life.

There is then a clear contrast and compare between what the freed person now perceives and what the prisoners now perceive. Indeed, what is determined to be of value to the prisoners would be different than that of the enlightened man. It is also made clear that the returning of the enlightened man causes animosity and hatred with the remaining prisoners. The point being made by Plato and Socrates via this allegory is that people with limited perspectives and education still deduce conclusions despite their very limited perspectives.

They also distrust or shun those that are more enlightened and educated. However, Plato and Socrates assert that even though this is the case, enlightened people should not shy away from sharing their wisdom and perspective as it is at least possible that more people will come to know the truth about life and what it can offer. Opinions and ideology are one thing but acts are quite another and many people get those two grossly confused to the point that they seem to be trying to get it wrong.

Further, there are people that know better and still intentionally demagogue issues and defame people.