Plato's Cave

let me show in a parable

to what extent our nature is enlightened

or unenlightened

envision human figures living in an underground cave

with a long entrance along the whole width of the cave

here they've been since their childhood and have had their legs and necks chained,

so that they cannot move and only see before them

being prevented by the chains from turning their heads around

Above and behind them a fire is blazing in the distance

they see only their own shadow

which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave

So how could they see anything but the shadows?

if they were never allowed to move their head?

between the fire and the prisoner

there is a raised way

and a low wall built along the way like the screen

which puppet players have in front of them over which they show the puppets

you see men passing along the wall

carrying all sorts of articles which they hold projected above the law

statues of men and animals, made of wood and stone and various materials

of the objects which are being carried in like manner

they would only see the shadows

and if they were able to converse with one another,

would they not suppose they were naming that was actually before them?

And suppose further there was an echo

which came from the wall

would they not be sure to think that when one of the passersby spoke

that the voice came from the passing shadows?

To them, the truth.. would literally be nothing but the shadows of images

And now look again and see what would naturally follow if one of the prisoners is released.

At First when he was liberated and compeled suddenly to stand up and turn his head around and look at the light

all this would hurt him, and he would be much to dazzled to see distincly those things whose shadows he had seen before

and then concieve someone saying to him that what he saw before was an illusion

but that now when he is approaching nearer to reality, his eye turn towards a more real existence he has a clearer vision,

what will be his repply?..

And you may further imagine that his instructor is pointing at the object as they pass and requiring him to name them,

would he not think perplexed?...

would he not think that the shadows which he formerly saw

are truer than the objects which are now shown to him?...

and suppose once more that he is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent and held fast

until he is forced into the presence of the sun itself

when he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled

he will not be able to see anything at all of that which are now called "realities"