Giangrande 1 April Giangrande Professor Kite Scientific Revolutions 11 September 2011 Platonic Knowing In Platos Republic: book VII,

Allegory of the Cave, Socrates examines the process of shedding ones ignorance and reaching a state where one has gained knowledge or the ability to see forms. Forms, as they are discussed in this context, are the intelligible patterns that the mind sees when it comes to know or understand something (class notes 9/8/11). The Allegory describes a group of humans that were born and grew up chained in place, facing a wall with dancing shadows, at the bottom of a cave. One human escapes from the cave and reaches the light, discovering that the shadows were merely perceptions of reality and that the surface world is where true reality lies in forms. The human returns to the cave with the goal to bring others into the light as well. Platos allegorical story where the humans see the light and exchange their ignorance for knowledge is a perfect way to describe the difficult journey to enlightenment. An enlightenment where the humans gain the knowledge needed to see the world for what and how it really is. Socrates and his friend Glaucon discuss the metaphor of darkness representing the ignorance of those living in the cave, unexposed to the world above them and their improper perspective on true reality. Socrates asks Glaucon, do you think these prisoners have ever seen anything of themselves and one another besides the shadows that the fire casts on the wall of the cave in front of them? (Plato, Book VII, 515a-5) meaning that the people in the cave know nothing else, but what they have experienced as prisoner in the cave. They are ignorant of any

Giangrande 2 other world, but their own world of the cave. They have not been enlightened and still only see shadows of true the forms of the surface world. This is a very accurate way of explaining ones lack of knowledge or understanding of the world around them. Without seeing the true forms, we would not be able to understand the world we live in or be able to add to our knowledge of the world that we have yet to discover. While gaining knowledge is a liberating activity, going from the dark to the light can be a painful journey for the one who escapes from the cave. Socrates and Glaucon also discuss the metaphor of light representing the knowledge and proper seeing that those living in the cave would experience and gain by working through their painful journey to the light, now viewing the world for its true reality. Socrates explains the steps of seeing and concludes by telling Glaucon, Finally, I suppose, he would be able to see the sun--not reflections of it in water or some alien place, but the sun just by itself in its own place-and be able to look at it and see what it is like (Plato, Book VII, 516b-5). Socrates is saying that once one has reached the source of light and sees it for what it truly is in its place in the world, one has gained knowledge. You cannot fully understand the world unless you understand every step of the journey and how you got to your final destination. In my opinion, the Allegory of the Cave is an excellent representation of the journey from ignorance to understanding and knowing. When I feel I have become knowledgeable on a topic or a concept, I feel as if I have traveled from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Confusion, frustration, ignorance, and lack of understanding put one in a place of metaphorical place of darkness. At times, I feel as if I am separated from the world around me because I may not understand some things. When I have reached the point where I completely understand or know something, I am no longer in the darkness created by my lack of knowledge. The Allegory explains in detail all of the steps necessary to know or understand

Giangrande 3 something, no matter what it is and how one must go about getting to the light or become knowledgeable on a topic or understand a concept. Like Plato, I agree that one cannot be forced against ones will to achieve knowledge or understanding. To gain knowledge or achieve understanding one must willingly, openly and of their own free will, step into the light.. In my experience, teachers may guide their students on their journey to understanding, knowing, or grasping a concept or topic, but in the end it is up to the student to travel their own path to the final product of their understanding. All things considered, I believe Platos Allegory of the Cave is an excellent way of describing my personal belief in the journey we need to make to achieve knowledge.

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Work Cited Plato, and C. D. C. Reeve. Republic. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publ., 1992. Print.