Ks Getting Out of the Cave

Plato tells us that only the Philosopher-Ruler is able to lead his followers to true meaning, absolute

knowledge, and ultimately, authenticity. It is the Philosopher-Ruler, in Plato’s world, that is able to

combine just political power and true wisdom.

The Republic begins with a complex question surrounding “What is Justice?” Which follows with

an unfolding of an “ideal” political system, community, and proper education for citizens.

The consequence is not only that philosophers would make the best leaders based on the

“ideal” political system Plato sets up (community, and proper education for

citizens), but also that men or women who are inclined by nature to study and understand philosophy, including the Theory of Forms, may join the ranks of Philosopher-Rulers. In other words, in Plato’s ideal society, women would flourish based on their nature rather

than their sex

Plato offers up a “theory of knowledge” in the form of the “Allegory of the Cave.” Two levels of perception

are highlighted: ignorance and pure knowledge.

Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” creates an image of prisoners who have been chained since childhood deep inside a cave. They have been immobilized by the chains, with their heads, and in turn their gaze, fixed on a wall. Behind the prisoners is a fire, casting shapes and shadows on the wall. When other prisoners speak, the echo of voice against the wall, causes the other prisoners to believe that the words are coming from the shadows. These shadows, are believed by the prisoners, to be “actual” objects.

Interpretations of “Allegory of the Cave”:

Plato’s allegory can be seen as commentary on the process and consequence of obtaining knowledge. The artificial images cast on the wall of the cave can be viewed as a metaphor for the world of sense perception—the things we think we know. The illusion of the cave is in the belief that the world that the prisoners (that’s us!) experience truth through their body’s senses-touch, smell, hearing and vision. This “Truth” then becomes our world.

Power is not derived, according to Plato, through violence (this is unjust power)

but, is derived from superior knowledge of the four “forms”. Including the highest

form, the “good” or knowledge (symbolized by the sun).

To the left is a detail of a painting done by the Renaissance artist Rafael called “School of Athens.” In the middle of the composition and on the left side is Plato, to his right is his pupil, Aristotle.