Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"

This is a wide open for everybody. Read the allegory (not too long) and interpret it in light of today's media, religion and propaganda.

http://www.geocities.com/freeyourbrain/cave.htm

I have some ideas and its sort of surprising how Plato was so dead on.

That the world is shadows, and if we could see the true forms behind the shadows of are being, it would be glorious. But we can't. And if someone does, we'll destroy them for lying to us.

Something like a pack-mentality deal.

Of understanding so being able to see what is behind the shadows may not bring an understanding or appreciation of it. What is more clearly drawn is the objective reality we shown (manipulated by) how that mind set then keeps us from moving beyond the shadows.

In my reading the Bears are the media or propaganda purveyors and the rest of the allegory goes from there.

Can't believe I missed it!

If permitted I would like to comment:

"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truely are, infinite", from William Blake I believe.

:D

Blake was an optimist. :D Just the title "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" shows that. :D

about Blake's optimism as to man's risibility, if its warranted.

And of course Morrison, its like somehow we kill with adoration, so many of our poets. Its is like the mass just sucks the life from those we would place on pedestals. The drugs and alcohol are but the symptoms of the disease.

But I digress, sorry.

Of course, your analysis of the cave is without match. Thank you so much.

:D

it's from Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" . . . the speaker is Socrates, a very wise service station attendant who becomes Dan's life guide . . .

"Here is the ancient story popularized by Plato: There once was a people who lived their entire lives in a Cave of Illusions. After generations, they came to believe that their own shadows, cast upon the walls, were the substance of reality. Only the myths and religious tales spoke of a brighter possibility. Obsessed with the shadow-play, the people became accustomed to and imprisoned by their dark reality.

"Throughout history, there have been blessed exceptions to the prisoners of the Cave. There were those who became tired of the shadow play, who began to doubt it, who were no longer fulfilled by shadows no matter how high they leaped. They became seekers of light. A fortunate few found a guide who prepared them and who took them beyond all illusion into the sunlight.

"All the peoples of the world are trapped within the Cave of their own minds. Only those few warriors who see the light, who cut free, surrendering everything, can laugh at eternity. . . It is beyond searching and beyond fear. Once it happens, you will see that it is only obvious, simple, ordinary, awake, and happy. It is only reality, beyond the shadows."

... and I think he'd be right.