Is The Outside World Really Just Another Cave - 1321 Words

Christopher Gallanty Professor Nico Veroli Philosophy 101L-141 6 October 2014 Is the Outside World Really Just Another Cave? The great philosopher Plato had just several main theories or concepts he preached to all that would listen. Theory of the forms, also known as theory of ideas is one of the most popular and arguably most controversial in my mind. Although there are many instances where Plato seems to prove this theory veracious, there are several that contradict such a theory and can create an argument against it. I believe that the Theory of Forms is sound but has an underlying issue with â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave† falsely analyzing and contradicting its true meaning. Plato believed that both the worlds of seen and unseen†¦show more content†¦They might state that the horse is beautiful and explain the characters behind their opinion, but technically it is simply a â€Å"copy† of one horse that was first thought of by the creator himself. Just as when one is attempting to draw their idea of a perfect circle. N o topic how many attempts, or tries one makes of it, they will never follow because in reality they will only fall short every time. All objects, humans or anything in between being imperfect in this instance. In the eyes of Plato all things in the world were a â€Å"shadow† of the perfect version itself. This is where in â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave† actuality is the idea of the object, not the physical being itself. The theory itself can be seen as worth nothing due to the fact that no mortal can understand involvement or the perfect ideal accurately. Equally, I will touch on later, it is the job of the informed to educate the ignorant and get them out of the â€Å"cave†. â€Å"The Allegory of the Cave† is the greatest example for the Theory of forms itself. The allegory is described as several men chained up inside of a cave, all of their life they face a blank wall. The prisoners watch shadows pass in front of them that are created by other individu als using a fire as a delusion. These shadows are the closest thing these people will ever get to