Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" - Analysis and Summary

The "Allegory of the Cave" by Plato represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in which we perceive and believe in what is reality. The thesis behind his allegory is the basic opinion that all we perceive are imperfect "reflections" of the ultimate Forms, which subsequently represent truth and reality. In his story, Plato establishes a cave in which prisoners are chained down and forced to look upon the front wall of the cave. In "Allegory of the Cave" there there are two elements to the story; the fictional metaphor of the prisoners, and the philosophical opinion in that the allegory is supposed to represent, hence presenting us with the allegory itself.

The complex …show more content…

The other prisoners laugh at the released prisoner, and ridicule him for taking the useless rise out of the cave in the first place. The others cannot understand something they have yet to experience, so it's up to this prisoner to represent leadership, for he alone is conscious of goodness. Plato, at this point describes the philosopher kings who have recognized the Forms of Goodness as having a duty to be responsible leaders and to not feel contempt for those whom don't share his enlightenment.

The Allegory doesn't solely represent our own misconceptions of reality, but also Plato's vision of what a solid leader should be. The prisoner is expected to return to the cave and live amongst his former prisoners as someone whom can see better than all the rest, someone whom is now able to govern from truth and goodness. He is expected to care for his fellow citizens,
"…you have been better and more thoroughly educated than those others and hence you are more capable of playing your part both as men of thought and as men of action."
Upon realizing the Forms of Goodness, one assumes the responsibility of a qualified leader, and this presents the basis for Plato's arguments for what composes just leadership and a just society.

The "Allegory of the Cave" represents a complex model as to which we are to travel through our lives and understanding. The four stages of thought combined with the progress of human