Allegory of the Cave

Interpretations behind the narrative of this allegory vary from whoever reads it. Symbolism and
metaphors used by Plato can be perceived of as a personal hit onto the mind of a reader. Political,
cultural and even religious matters can be connected but what strikes me is its approach to
education. Education that every people need, but not equally desired.
As I was digesting what was being told in this passage, it was as if I also belong to the chained
prisoners. Though Plato implied that it is us, those chained prisoners are being referred to, I came
to realize that I might be a victim of an abuse of power. How they orient my mind into thinking a
certain way. Light that I think was already from the outside world that the sun produces, may just
be a fire that burns not from afar. I may be thinking that what the physical world offers is enough
for my soul to feast into. Ideal forms that should be persevered have not yet been reached by me
for I was unknowingly chained.
Additionally, I was struck by the idea that it is not about the raw intelligence of each person that
gaining of knowledge is leaned into, but the desire to learn is what separates success. Education
should be pursued, not because we need to, but also because we desire to. Fault is not on the
prisoners that have been chained for a lifetime for not wanting to see the reality, but to the educators
that put them through that horror. We can achieve something greater if we just let ourselves
participate in learning, not just listening to what we are being told to.