What happens when these values are not shared by everyone? Can people actually agree upon an universal concept of beauty based solely on reason? These are some of the issues which the philosopher tries to analyze.
3. An important metaphor that Socrates uses in order to convey his ideas regarding the concept of good is the one of the sun. The action of illumination which the sun performs is not only physical but spiritual as well. Since the sun is the very source of knowldge and the instrument which guides people towards the truth, the sun becomes a metaphor for the "good" as well. Therefore there is a close connection between knowledge and ethics, the main link being the truth. The sun (through its generating the light) is the main tool that the eye uses in order to perceive and record the tangible world. This world is composed out of elements the understanding of which represents the goal of both scientific research and philosophy. The light is associated with the realms of reality and the things whuch can be completely understood and measured, therefore with the good. The subconscious and all the things which carry us within a realm which is more difficult (if not impossible to decypher) are associated with evil and the darkness. Trying to understand ourselves and the world through the use of categories is an almost useless attempt because it will not take us far. The real path to the truth is the oen which uses the universa forms. And good is the supreme type of form. As we can see there is a two way connection between knowledge and truth. The type of action through which we reach knowledge (and conceptualize it) and the nature of that knowledge are deeply intertwined.
4. The allegory of the cave...
Through it the philosopher tries to explain how the perception of the individuals and their very positioning in the world depends on the level of knowledge that they have. The people living inside the cave are chained to the walls, a metaphor for their lack of freedom. They see the shadows on the walls and tehy mistake them for reality, not knowing that behind them there is a fire and other objects. What is the difference between the objects and their shadows on the wall? Perhaps the same one which exists between knowledge and belief. The solidity of a belief depends not on the fervor which one may support it but on the grounds which found it. A belief based on something more "real" than shadows is a stronger and healthier belief. However, illusion is perhaps the best word which can be associated with the level of knowledge associated with the people who are tied to the walls in the cave. The next level, a higher one is associated with the person who is able to break free from the chains and observe the environment. More information, deeper knowledge allows for a better understanding of the truth. The truth however is to be found outside the cage where the sun illuminates eveything. The light is therefore a source of knowledge and the main road taking us to the truth. It also corresponds to reason as the ideal guidance instrument. Outside there are shadows as well, but the sun allows us to understand how they are formed. Outside in the sun we can see so much more than in the cave, enough to understand that what we see is not all that we could see. Outside there are no chains, a clear indication that reason and knowldge set us free from our ignorance and…
