Ewan
21st October 2016, 17:08
You can read it here (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.8.vii.html) or download text only here (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.mb.txt)
So we will assume you have read it and grasped its meaning, (let us also assume I have grasped its meaning :) ).
Where do you think you are in that cave?
So we will start with me. I like to think I loosed my chains and stood up to look around. I saw the source of light and moved towards the entrance, but grew afraid of what I might find there. Hesitating, I was lost. Now I wander round the cave poking people, telling them the shadows are not real and the few who can hear me and respond do so with annoyed tones. Still effectively chained, by myself, I cannot apparently approach that 'terrifying?' unknown that lies beyond the mouth of the cave.
The reality is even less inspiring I fear. I have probably only loosed the chains enough to move my head a little, getting glimpses of some source of light and am as a consequence deeply suspicious of the shadows that mostly fill my vision. Like a man in a nightmare I mumble and protest, my neighbours tell me to shush.
I'll repeat the question. Where do you think you might be in that cave?
Where would you find that strength to be unafraid and step right up to the mouth, looking wonderingly beyond?
So we will assume you have read it and grasped its meaning, (let us also assume I have grasped its meaning :) ).
Where do you think you are in that cave?
So we will start with me. I like to think I loosed my chains and stood up to look around. I saw the source of light and moved towards the entrance, but grew afraid of what I might find there. Hesitating, I was lost. Now I wander round the cave poking people, telling them the shadows are not real and the few who can hear me and respond do so with annoyed tones. Still effectively chained, by myself, I cannot apparently approach that 'terrifying?' unknown that lies beyond the mouth of the cave.
The reality is even less inspiring I fear. I have probably only loosed the chains enough to move my head a little, getting glimpses of some source of light and am as a consequence deeply suspicious of the shadows that mostly fill my vision. Like a man in a nightmare I mumble and protest, my neighbours tell me to shush.
I'll repeat the question. Where do you think you might be in that cave?
Where would you find that strength to be unafraid and step right up to the mouth, looking wonderingly beyond?