Once we stop, can we accept the more real outside world, which is the true (albeit harsher) world, or will we run back into the cave out of fear of accepting the truth?
Watch the following videos (They are short enough to repeat if you must).
In the first video, ask yourself what the cave might symbolize. Also, answer these questions:
What are the images on the wall?
Who could the people manipulating the images be?
What might the chains symbolize?
What if you were the one released?
For more on Plato's Allegory of the Cave, see the texbook, Thinking Critically, 9th Ed., by John Chaffee.
Discussion about this topic is on p. 189
As you explore the questions above, consider the following questions taken from the Thinking Critically text:
- Explain how the images projected on the back wall of Plato's cave are similar to the images we see on television or in newspapers, magazines, and books **AND THE INTERNET**.
- Why do the people in Plato's cave believe that the perceptual images they see projected on the wall are "real"? Why do many people who watch television and read information sources uncritically believe that what they are viewing or reading about is "real"?
- At the start of our journey from the dark depths of ignorance toward the illumination of understanding, it is essential to recognize that the perceptions we encounter in our daily lives are often incomplete, inaccurate, and distorted. Explain why.
- In Plato's allegory, discarding ignorant beliefs and embracing the truth can be a disturbing process because we are forced to see things objectively, as they really are, rather than shrouded in bias and distortion. Describe an experience of your own in which achieving a knowledgeable, truthful insight was a disturbing experience.
Here's another video to consider as you explore your answers to the questions above
Everyone believes something. Everyone has a philosophy of life (Chapter 12).
"The challenge you face is to create a coherent view of the world that expresses who you are as well as the person you want to become." - Thinking Critically, p. 430
THINK CRITICALLY LIVE CREATIVELY CHOOSE FREELY
It is very interesting how our own behavior could affect our perception of freedom, we are constantly viewing a world that shaped by the most influential people, and base our opinions base on what we believe is real. These Images could represent a fashion model, a rock star, an executive surrounded by Money, a drug entrepreneur….ETC... Then we look our self and there is no happiness that surround us because we believe what have been presented to us is the path of happiness. Then jealousy, envy consumes us wanting the prices and object that we do not have. If we found our own beauty, discover our emotions, skills, live by the freedom of our own decision, creating our own opinion then we will knowledge, and love the real freedom that only exist whiting us to be expressed to the outside.
ReplyDeleteAbout 6 months ago I thought of doing a self-experiment. I thought I'd get off Facebook for a month and see what happens. Long story short I have never logged back in. We are all wired to depend on someone or something to get through the day. We have been mind handicapped, we simply cannot think for ourselves. I think it's Plato who believed that man is created with everything he needs to get through life. Another philosopher by the name of Protagoras said, "Man is the measure of all things; things which are, that they are, and things which are not, that they are not." Meaning that truth is relative to the individual. If you believe that you need to depend on someone to think for you, this will be your truth and your reality.
ReplyDeleteAlso Epicurus believed that, "Pleasure is the beginning and ending of happy living." Need I say more on this. I don't think so.
ReplyDelete