Plato and Descartes: philosophical comparison and influence

Plato, Descartes

Allegory of the Cave in Book VII of Plato's Republic

What are the people in the cave seeing? What do they think they are seeing? Who does Socrates say that the people in the cave are like?

The people in the cave are somewhat subject to "tunnel vision," which is to say that those who are in the cave are allegorically restrained to the point where they cannot turn their heads to see what is around them, or what is behind them, but can only see directly in front of them. A basically low area of sight, with limited vision. This being said, the people think they are seeing all that there is to see in their world, and indeed, their entire life. With this in mind, Socrates says that the people in the cave are like prisoners who can only see shadows of what exists, not actual things themselves.

B- What is the metaphorical meaning of the cave and of the journey from the darkness of the cave to the outside world?

Metaphorically, the cave and the journey from the darkness of the cave to the outside world is the transition of the individual from the darkness of deception and emptiness in life to the bright light of truth, enlightenment and an overall enhanced life of righteousness.

C- What did the example of Santa Claus explain in relation to the experience of the journey out of the cave?

The example of Santa Claus as it relates to the experience of the journey out of the cave essentially comes down the choice of embracing good or bad behavior. For those who are good-such as those who choose to move out of the cave and into the light-Santa Claus represents rewards for good behavior. The bad-ones who stay in the darkness of the cave-are those for whom a lump of lowly coal awaits from Santa Claus. In just a few words, the parallel is one of reward vs. punishment and the free will to choose which will befall the individual.

D- Is the journey out of the cave and the arrival outside in the light a negative or positive experience, or both? Explain.

The journey out of the cave and the outside arrival are overall a positive experience, because what the journey culminates in is truth and positive living. However, there is a sort of negativity involved because the journey could be a painful adjustment for those who have to make the journey.

2. Descartes-Context and problem

A- in what era was Descartes living and working? What characterized this era in terms of intellectual development?

Descartes was living and working in the era when "modern" philosophy was coming into vogue, of which he was a major catalyst. This era was typified by times when the scientific method was the measure of what was real- in other words, if something could be proven by facts and figures, it was accepted as the truth. Because of this, intellectual development essentially became a matter of knowledge being based on what was at that time considered to be solid facts, rather than theories based on rumor or even faith, causing a rift in religion for example.

B- How did this context, and his personal experience of it, create a problem for Descartes, and what was that problem?

The context of the time created a problem for Descartes because his brand of philosophy directly opposed organized religion, which of course is based on acts of faith rather than scientific facts. Therefore, Descartes' problem was that he was going against the all powerful church officials of the times in which he lived and worked.

C- What does Descartes determine to seek? How will he perform this search - what will he do to investigate the problem? What is his primary tool(s)?

Descartes determines to seek the absolute, provable truth- those things that can be verified to be real through science or mathematics. He performs his search through the use of four tools or steps: accepting as true only what can be proven by facts, division of every question into manageable parts, beginning with simple issues and moving to the more complex and ultimately, the review of the facts frequently enough to maintain the whole argument.

D- What is the first conclusion he reaches in this search? What is the second?

In his search, Descartes first reaches the conclusion that the body is the first "substance" that exists- in other words, the individual is the first step of all that exists. This assertion is tempered by the second conclusion that God does exist and that God is the basis of the "solid" things that exist.

3. Descartes - the Melted Wax

A- in the discussion of the melted wax, how do we "know" the wax candle at the start? What happens when the candle melts?

The melted wax example is essentially one of intellect and senses; more precisely, we know the wax candle at the start, according to Descartes, because of senses- we can see, feel, and smell the wax, thereby confirming to us what it is. After melting, the wax candle is identified by our intellect. Basically, we have been taught what a wax candle is, so we know it as something that exists, even once the candle melts.

B- How do we know the melted wax is the same wax as the candle was?

We know that the melted wax is the same wax as the candle was because of a combination of senses as was mentioned earlier as well as learned experiences. Our intelligence gives us the inclination that the melted wax is the same as the candle was, and our senses confirm it.

C- What does this example help us to know better?

This example helps to better know that there is a relationship between the senses and the mind in two ways; we can use our senses to reinforce what we are thinking and senses can also protect us from an incorrect idea of something that we have false impressions of in our minds.

D- What do you think of Descartes' idea of the relation between the senses and the mind?

Descartes' idea of the relation between the senses and the mind, in one humble opinion, is valid still today. He was absolutely correct when he asserted that we know what we know based on what we have learned in the past and what we can perceive, but neither is exclusive of the other, based on Descartes' philosophy that things can only be proven as "real" by verification through mathematics and/or science.