The Cave Allegory is one of the great allegories of idealist philosophy that influenced the thought of Western cultures (Triglia, n.d.). This myth is a manifestation of Plato's theory of ideas, which appears in various of his works, but mainly in The Republic (Triglia, n.d.). Essentially, the Cave Allegory serves as a window into Plato's theory of the two fundamental realities: the intelligible world and the sensible world (Rodríguez, 2020). In the intelligible world, eternal and unchanging ideas reside, accessible only through the exercise of reason. According to Rodríguez (2020), this world of abstractions is the realm of reason and the only true one.
On the other hand, there is the sensible world, the physical world accessed through the senses (Rodríguez, 2020). It is subject to processes of change, creation, and corruption and is therefore mere appearance. This world, constructed by the Demiurge in accordance with the archetype of the intellectual world, acts as a mere duplicate. In other words, according to Rodríguez (2020), the sensible world is real insofar as it participates in the intelligible world.
From this interconnectedness between the physical and the world of ideas arises a reality full of light and shadows (Lemos, 2017). On one hand, there is reality as it is, and on the other hand, there is a fictional reality, where beliefs and illusions take center stage (Lemos, 2017). In short, according to Triglia (n.d.), this allegory is, at its core, a fictional narrative that provided a profound understanding of how Plato conceived the relationship between the physical and the world of ideas, as well as how human beings navigate through these domains.
The Allegory of the Cave
In his masterful work, Plato begins his narrative by delving into the lives of men who have been chained in the depths of a mysterious cave since birth (Lemos, 2017). In line with Guerri (2021), this initial setup implies that these individuals have been deprived of any opportunity to understand the origin or purpose of their confinement.
In this scenario, the place is divided into two sections separated by a partition: on one side, there is the chamber of the captives, where their only perspective is the wall at the back of the cave; on the other side, behind the partition and out of sight of these prisoners, a pathway unfolds along which other individuals carry all sorts of objects, while behind them, a fire burns, projecting the shadows of these objects onto the wall of the cave, observed by the chained observers (Lavernia, 2020). Thus, as Triglia (n.d.) maintains, the only perception these people can acquire is the vague silhouette of trees, animals, mountains, humans, and other elements.
Parallel to this conception, Plato narrates that the carriers of these objects engage in dialogue with each other, generating an echo reverberating within the cave, adding to the sensory experience of the prisoners (Lavernia, 2020). In summary, these individuals lack the capacity to perceive anything beyond the shadows cast on the wall and to hear beyond the echoes generated by those voices. Devoid of any other visual experience, they come to believe that these shadows are the only true existence and attribute the creation of the echoes to the shadows themselves (Lavernia, 2020). However, Lemos (2017) reveals that this understanding is, in reality, an illusion, an artifice designed to divert their attention from the genuine truth.
Plato continues with the story of one prisoner who dared to turn around and see what lay beyond (Lemos, 2017). Initially, this experience left him confused and agitated, especially due to the light he glimpsed in the background, namely the fire. According to Lemos (2017), this initial moment sowed the seed of suspicion: had he lived up until that point believing that the shadows were the sole content of his reality when, in fact, there was much more?
Each step forward was imbued with conflicting yearning, as the temptation to return to the familiarity of the shadows was constant. However, with tenacity and perseverance, he advanced (Lemos, 2017). Gradually, he began to acclimate to the unknown before him. Without allowing confusion to overwhelm him or succumbing to the pull of fear, this individual ultimately managed to free himself from the chains of the cave. Despite his successful journey, Lemos (2017) points out that upon returning hastily to share his epiphany with his companions, he encountered mockery and contempt, expressions of disbelief from those still trapped within the jaws of the cave.
Meaning
The Cave Allegory underscores how ignorance can take the form of an uncomfortable reality once people become aware of its existence (Lemos, 2017). This narrative draws connections between humans and the chained prisoners, as both share the limitation of their vision beyond the shadows that weave an illusion of reality, superficial and deceptive (Triglia, n.d.). The light of the fire acts as a distracting backdrop that diverts their attention from reality, namely the cave. In short, according to Triglia (n.d.), the sensible world resembles the cave, where some individuals find their existence limited and chained, with an inability to avert their gaze from the distant wall.
The uninterrupted repetition of this single vision since birth suppresses any curiosity or need to turn and explore the realities the shadows reflect (Lemos, 2017). Nevertheless, in a revealing twist, one of the prisoners breaks free from his bonds and confronts true reality. But this act of liberation brings confusion and discomfort: the intense brightness of the fire forces him to turn his head, and the blurry forms he encounters seem less tangible than the shadows that defined his previous existence (Triglia, n.d.). Essentially, this process, according to Rodríguez (2020), becomes a dialectical journey, starting from ignorance and culminating in the attainment of truth.
In this sense, education plays a crucial role (Rodríguez, 2020), guiding individuals toward perceiving absolute truths and fundamental values, extracting them from the deceit and prejudice that pervade their lives (Wilkins, 2020). As Rodríguez (2020) suggests, once truth is assimilated, the liberated person is faced with the challenging task of returning to the cave and sharing their understanding with their companions, even though this revelation of truth might be met with skepticism and even disdain.
However, this return to the cave is not without risks, as any account of reality would be subject to ridicule and contempt (Triglia, n.d.). Therefore, not everyone is willing to leave the safety of the cave and break free from their chains (Rodríguez, 2020). Furthermore, the allegory captures the challenge many philosophers confront: instead of being welcomed with appreciation, their teachings are actively rejected (Wilkins, 2020). In fact, Socrates paid with his life for his philosophical ideas, being accused of "corrupting" the youth of Athens and questioning the status quo. Wilkins (2020) suggests that Plato not only discussed the importance of philosophy and knowledge but also paid tribute to the death of his friend and mentor.
On another note, while Plato provides an explanation of the elements that make up this allegory, challenges persist in understanding the role of the fire burning in the cave (Fernández, 2020). At times, this fire is overlooked or posited that the external Sun causes the shadows projected on the wall. However, according to Fernández (2020), the truth is that these shadows result from the manipulation of the fire's light by the so-called "Masters of the Cave."
Plato presents two crucial elements in the allegory. Firstly, the fire exemplifies sunlight, which, by casting deceptive shadows, beguiles the prisoners about authentic reality (Fernández, 2020). On the other hand, the Sun in the allegory represents the Idea of the Good, which governs the intelligible realm and relates to truth and intelligence. The relationship between fire and the Sun may generate ambiguity. The key to understanding this lies in recognizing that fire symbolizes the Sun, and the latter, in the allegory, personifies the Idea of the Good. According to Fernández (2020), the fire's light, by projecting shadows in the cave, illustrates how perceptions are often mere shadows of true reality.
The Allegory of the Cave Today
It is remarkable how the perspective offered by the Cave Allegory can be translated into the present day (Lemos, 2017). In accordance with Triglia (n.d.), this ancient tale incorporates a series of concepts widely shared in idealist philosophy: the existence of a truth that exists independently of people's opinions, the presence of constant deceptions leading people away from that truth, and the qualitative change that comes with accessing that truth—once known, there is no turning back.
In other words, the individual who has gained this knowledge cannot return to the belief that the shadows projected on the wall are anything more than representations of animals, mountains, and trees (Guerri, 2021). According to Triglia (n.d.), these elements can resonate in everyday situations, especially in how media and predominant perspectives shape various interpretations.
Initially, the deceptions resulting from the willingness to provide limited information to others or the lack of scientific and philosophical progress might reflect the phenomenon of shadows projected on the cave wall (Triglia, n.d.). These deceptions, rather than being the result of individual intentionality, stem from the very nature of material reality, which acts as a mere reflection of true reality: the world of ideas. One aspect explaining why lies have such an impact on human life is that they consist of what appears evident from a superficial point of view. According to Triglia (n.d.), if there is no reason to question something, it is not done, and its falsehood prevails.
From another perspective, the individual who chooses to break free from the chains faces a difficult decision (Lemos, 2017). On one hand, the breaking of chains by the individual leaving the cave bears similarities to a major personal transformation (Guerri, 2021). Whether leaving behind a person, a situation, an ideology, or a harmful religion, that revolution would be a complete liberation from the chains (Guerri, 2021). On the other hand, the act of liberation also resembles the rebellion that, in more contemporary terms, might be termed a paradigm shift (Triglia, n.d.). This approach, as described by Lemos (2017), can be subject to criticism and might even have tempted the individual to abandon their attempt.
Additionally, the ascent toward truth represents a challenging and bewildering process that demands abandoning entrenched beliefs, generating insecurity and fear (Triglia, n.d.). In this transformative process, a psychological shift occurs, and the new perception of the world is shaped by past experiences (Guerri, 2021). In fact, according to Triglia (n.d.), this is exemplified in the image of someone trying to leave the cave rather than staying still, who, upon exiting, is dazzled by the light of reality.
Lastly, the return would be the final phase of the myth, consisting of the dissemination of new ideas that, due to their impact, can evoke confusion, contempt, or hostility by questioning the dogmatic foundations underpinning society (Triglia, n.d.). Nevertheless, according to Triglia (n.d.), the notion of truth is linked to the concept of the good and goodness—meaning that the person who has accessed authentic reality has a moral obligation to liberate others from ignorance and must therefore spread their knowledge.
This final idea makes Plato's Cave Allegory not exactly a story of personal liberation (Triglia, n.d.). It represents an approach to accessing knowledge that, while originating from an individualistic perspective, emphasizes that it is the individual who, through their own efforts, gains access to the truth by engaging in a personal struggle against illusions and deceptions. However, as Triglia (n.d.) asserts, once a person reaches this stage, they should carry the knowledge to others.
References
Fernández, J. (2020). EL MITO DE LA CAVERNA DE PLATÓN: QUÉ SIGNIFICA EL FUEGO QUE ARDE EN SU INTERIOR. José Carlos Fernández Romero. Recuperado 21 May 2021, a partir de https://josecarlosfernandezromero.com/2020/10/12/el-mito-de-la-caverna-de-platon-que-significa-el-fuego-que-arde-en-su-interior/
Guerri, M. (2021). El mito de la caverna de Platón: qué es y qué implica. Psicoactiva. Recuperado 25 May 2021, a partir de https://www.psicoactiva.com/blog/el-mito-de-la-caverna-de-platon-que-es-y-que-implica/
Lavernia, K. (2020). Platón. Biografia, Pensamiento y Obras. Alejandra de Argos. Recuperado 15 May 2021, a partir de https://www.alejandradeargos.com/index.php/es/completas/42-filosofos/41827-platon-biografia-pensamiento-y-obras
Lemos, R. (2017). El mito de la caverna de Platón: la dualidad de nuestra realidad. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 21 May 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/el-mito-de-la-caverna-de-platon-la-dualidad-de-nuestra-realidad/
Rodríguez, P. (2019). Mito de la caverna - RESUMEN Y SIGNIFICADO. unprofesor.com. Recuperado 21 May 2021, a partir de https://www.unprofesor.com/ciencias-sociales/mito-de-la-caverna-resumen-y-significado-3129.html
Triglia, A. El mito de la caverna de Platón (significado e historia de esta alegoría). Psicologiaymente.com. Recuperado 21 May 2021, a partir de https://psicologiaymente.com/psicologia/mito-caverna-platon
Wilkins, J. (2020). The Meaning Behind Plato’s Cave. Medium. Recuperado 21 May 2021, a partir de https://historyofyesterday.com/the-meaning-behind-platos-cave-403011d240a9
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