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It is important to note that the allegory of the cave by Plato is a valuable thought experiment, which highlights the distinction between ones knowledge and beliefs. The core concept revolves around a search for truth through enlightenment, where a person is no longer chained to the real world. The emphasis is put on the abstract realm of ideas, where undeniable truths can be found. The storys main purpose is to illustrate the stark difference between an individual, who found the truth, and someone, who is chained by unsubstantiated beliefs.
In order to properly understand why Plato chose Socrates as the core speaker and character of the allegory, one should understand the latters practices and beliefs. One of the most known and defining practices of Socrates was his Socratic method of inquiry. In short, it was both a teaching approach as well as a form of argumentative dialogue, where an issue is segmented into many questions (Riju par. 5). The basic concept is to begin from what a person already knows and is familiar with and impose questions in the direction of a supposed answer. The philosopher firmly believed that the unexamined life is not worth living (Timmons par. 17). In other words, he always questioned everything, and thus, he considered that reason and wisdom were the only source of morality, ethics, and ultimate happiness.
Therefore, the main reason why Plato chose Socrates as the speaker for this parable is due to the latters representation of wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence. It is stated that Socrates himself never wrote anything, and in Platos writing, where he uses Socrates as the main character in his dialogues, it can be difficult to tell how much is the historical Socrates and how much is Plato (Lake par. 3). In other words, Plato was Socratess student, who learned a great deal in regards to philosophy from him. It is evident that the allegory of the cave, where the central point is to show how truth brings richness in understanding, needed a character representing an enlightened individual who knows was able to escape the trap.
Socrates beliefs and practices are directly related to the themes of the parable. The shadows in the cave are distorted and poorly reflective representations about occurrences taking place in the real world. Therefore, in order to escape the cave and witness these events or objects firsthand, it is critical to question everything with the use of reason and logic. In other words, the Socratic method can be an outstanding tool in achieving enlightenment. Every person is born in the cave, from which he or she must escape by examining ones life and seeking truth through reason. The latter will break the chains and allow a person to escape the prison of ignorance to see the true beauty of the world. In other words, darkness is ignorance, and lightness is wisdom.
In conclusion, the allegory of the cave by Plato is a parable about knowledge, wisdom, and ignorance. The cave represents a world in which a person is placed initially, but by examining ones life and surroundings, it is possible for him or her to escape the prison of ignorance. Shadows are distorted reflections of truths, which lack the details and beauty of a real object. Darkness represents ignorance, whereas light is a source of knowledge.
Works Cited
Lake, Tim. Socrates Philosophy: The Ancient Greek Philosopher and His Legacy. Biography, 2021, Web.
Riju, Navya. The Socratic Method | Beliefs of Socrates. Medium, 2019, Web.
Timmons, Greg. Socrates. Biography, 2017, Web.
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