A Different Kind of Story

Sharron Williamson
Philosophy 102
2/24/07
Assignment#5
The Allegory of the Cave is still a legend in storytelling. We cannot help but walk with blinders on in light of the modern American Dream while it comes full circle. The media keeps most people on the edge of their seats, why do Americans who call their selves American’s continuing to make the same mistakes repeatedly, especially those who claim they know all, see all, and trust all. We all find ourselves looking at shadows against a wall from a distant shining light. The Republic is my favorite story historically speaking. The Allegory of the Cave requires us to ponder ourselves into a pickle. Here we have two people Plato and Glaucon discussing story or an allegory. It goes like this, people are held prisoner in a cave, in front of them and behind them a fire burns, they are forced to sit in shadows. Plato’s concepts of form are incredible works of art. The way he describes reality is an actual object is what it is, or an ox is an ox. The prisoners only see reflection on the wall. An ox might have several shapes according to what angle of the light hits the ox, as the shadows distort the ox. They have names for all the things too, but for each individual the shadows is different so to each person an ox might be a cow, or a donkey, or might resemble a something as different as a jar. Compare it to a modern day chat room; the participants are blind to each other while they describe their perceptions and events, even change their identity. Plato describes a prisoner who looks towards the light, first the glare is difficult but he continues to look and eventually he see’s for the first time reality as it is. This combination of words is heavy. The author thought about what he was speaking about and wrote it reflecting real art. As the prisoner pursues the light, he understands the shadows he once seen were not the same as objects he previously seen, but the reality of the shadows. Things become clearer as they do in the light. A prisoner gradually come to the determination he wanted to be in the light. Another prisoner is drug out of the cave and held in the light. The prisoner forced from the comfort of his “Cave” obviously hates it there. He compares reality with shadows. This I love. The contrast between the two is wide open for deep thought. We can all see what we want to see, but in the light, there is no hiding from reality. It exists; your perception of that reality is what you choose to make it. The trick to the trade is to make people feel they have reached this idea by their selves. Wish I had that trait. I am more like the bull in the china shop not doubt. Sorry! I get excited when I gain some wisdom ok! I like to spread it around, share the knowledge. I’m working on it ok! I also know I must improve my techniques. First, I have to change my perception. People, like me, begin the momentum and send it to the mainstream. I understand why most people are scared and don’t seek the truth. As you age, your position in life changes and you must become sensitive to the light, so you can promote thought and not merely impose thought.
I pity the American people who rely on the Sophists to provide them with the reality of the situation. It irritates me to no end what’s happening to the America Media. I hate me for allowing me to be sucked in, how’s that for accountability. We are all prisoners’ in the cave more so now than ever. These jokers on T.V. are ruining people lives. They want to come into our living rooms and just be our friends. It’s pathetic what lengths they sink to. Occasionally I’ll turn the television news on to see if it the same garbage and yes, it is. It just gets my goat to see them mocking us, The America People. They own our government; they tell us we will fight over oil instead of seeking peace and feeding the world. I remember when M-TV first started. It was propaganda free, so I thought. Bill Clinton later used that medium to reach hundreds and thousands of children just barely old enough to vote, great move on his part. This story is very deep, and there is similarities to this great nation; is that how it actually works? That’s why I love the story so much; it describes the setting for The Republic. The story itself requires reading several times. In addition, just when you think you know what it’s about when you read it again it teaches you something else. Deep! I’m discouraged about the fear factor in our nation today. I’m also frightened about the constitution not making in out of congress alive, after our latest governmental authoritarian attempt to overthrow the American People. We are in dire need of change in a positive direction. I feel that even thought the roof is shot, there’s no need to tear the whole house down. There is hope or at least that what I tell myself to keep up moral! Three cheers for democracy. I’ve heard that democracy and republics have similarities. My experience from a democracy is power, greed and corruption. I don’t know why I say that, maybe there isn’t any hope. Can you sense my frustrations with the current state of affairs? Let’s move on to the current state of affairs in the school systems.
The difference between Plato’s Republic education was he believed you couldn’t teach an empty mind. That’s statement is confusing. He felt you could only teach those who wanted to be taught. The soul should attain towards a state of mind which is seeking knowledge. At least in America we have a choice of what we will learn after we have reached a certain age according to the law. The early years manipulate the youth. After that the masses have been marched through the pickle plant, we call public schooling, and sent out for seasoning (Carl‘s Jr.) in the real world. Ah, we all know what to do with pickles? Wishing won’t help us now will it! For those of us who keep free thought open, we will continue to help remove the blinder of those who need our help. Teaching our children how to become free thinkers too soon will reap ill effects. The school system will attempt to drug them, label them, and make them sit still. Plato would compare our current education systems students as prisoners. Who are we, the parents, to force our views and opinions upon others children? Why should we teach our children to respect science and question religion? Why can’t I require my children to read about quantum physics and consciousness? My son learned about black holes and actually made some predictions about time and space when he was 8 years old. He started writing this year, and his stuff amazes me. I’m proud of him, and I regret not having enough money to supply him with a decent scientific school who could address his personal questions, in relation to his home education. To me, not knowing about the universe and the theories with science and evolution by graduation is a bad thing. The religious fiends took my educational values and challenged the idea there is something bigger in the universe, we can’t expect our teacher to talk about it. Many children suffer this same fate with the school system. The teachers can only do so much, and when the parents get involved most often times they mess things up. You child is going to grow up, and they will grow away, its human nature. You must be responsible to nurture educational values. It’s easy to understand why the Plato upheld education across the board. Sometimes however, you must remind yourself, a good swift kick in the butt is a learned behavior.
What’s a Soul? Good question it’s hard to explain. Plato’s “soul” is something we all have, but it needs to be nurtured to achieve the light. The light is all that is good and true, therefore you would achieve the light only after you have lived an honorable life; do no harm in other words. There would be no need to debate, but some one is inevitably going to ask? Is this right? Then some know it all is going to reply, “Sure Buddy, every body who’s anybody does it that way” Hence the Shawn Hannity’s of the world! His soul was purchased dirt-cheap! I have a soul; at least I am working on achieving a soul according to Plato. Plato’s work is pleasing to read. Its goal is not to manipulate us like religion. There for it is self seeking knowledge, accountability and change; refreshing like a breeze. My soul is worthy of self-seeking knowledge, accountability, and change. However, my soul is willing, but my body is in control, and my mind thinks this whole thing is very strange! Never mind! My work reads much like these scholars, is perception going to be lost and reflected upon by only by our distant light?
We need more artists like Plato. His idea of The Republic are overwhelming. The idea we could all achieve greatness in just changing perception and looking towards reality. There would be no manipulators in an ideal world. He’s a Dreamer, and there’s nothing wrong with that. So long as your dreaming will do no harm, does not include manipulation or slavery, and will improve peoples perceptions. Some religious sects live by this philosophy; they turn their back on those who don’t bend to their perception of righteousness. Wherever there’s a dream there a generation of change, the children are the one left to carry on with the elders dreams with all its rights and wrongs. Moreover, their perception is subject to change as well. Neo, in the Matrix, left a perfect world, when he found out the reality was not his; only the perception of what he seen was his. The Republic is very deep, I enjoyed reading it again.