Tan, Mirzi Coleen Philosophy 1

BA AP Mr. Antonio Moises Villasor

Reflection Paper — The Allegory of the Cave

The “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato is a classic set-up being used by philosophers to
explain such concepts about human perception. As expounded by Plato, knowledge
acquired through the senses is only acknowledged as an opinion and not fact. There are
variables that make up the story that presents to us various symbolisms that help us
understand more on what he wants to say.

The Cave where the prisoners are tied. A cave is a place where it makes us feel
trapped and enclosed in this space where we can only hear ourselves and our thoughts.
Related to knowledge, this is to represent how people who only believe in the knowledge
that they perceive of the world from their senses. The prisoners, therefore, that are trapped
inside the cave illustrate how these simple-minded people are trapped in their beliefs and
cannot see beyond it. I believe that these are the people who think that what they see they
get. They settle for what they think they see is real and do not question behind it or look for
any deeper meaning.

The Shadows that they see. The prisoners are tied facing only the walls of the cave
and can only see the shadows created by the different people and creatures passing
through the light that is shown through the cave. What this embodies are the people who
think that what they believe from what they see is knowledge, when in fact are not. As the
shadow portrays, what we think is “knowledge” is just a shadow of what is truly “real” and
“true”.

The escape from their imprisonment. As one prisoner escapes his bounds and is
able to leave the cave, he is becomes shocked in what he witnesses. He begins to see what
is real, a different world from what he believes in and what he’s known all his life. He
represents those who strive to seek for what the truth and goes beyond their knowledge of
this world. I believe that these are the philosophers who desire to find wisdom and veracity
of life.

When the prisoner shares his newfound knowledge. The prisoner, so moved by
his discovery, goes back to share this truth with the other prisoners. When the others hear
his story, they refuse to believe him and declines his offer to be released. This clearly
depicts how people are close-minded and are terrified of the things that they do not know.
The unknown scares them away and holds them back from discovering the truth.

I find it amazing how Plato used these symbolisms to convey his meanings and
realizations of life and the truth. The “Allegory of the Cave” simplifies the basic concepts of
philosophical truth and introduces them in a way that can be easily understood. I have taken
philosophy classes before but with this story, I learned more and could see a few
realizations. I actually relate to a few of the people described in the story, especially with the
few who are afraid of learning the unknown truths of life. I, also, find it hard to accept things
I am not familiar with, learning what’s real could be frightening, but sometimes it can also be
a freeing experience. I hope more people would get out of "their" caves and see the world
for what it really is.

Reflection Paper — The Allegory of the Cave