Espinosa

Maya Espinosa
Professor Maya Alapin
English 120
13 February 2015
The Cave
Platos allegory of the cave is one of the oldest commentaries on the pursuit of truth and
knowledge in western thought and highlights the importance of education. Education, Plato
illustrates and informs through this cave allegory, is key to the development of self, a successful
society, and critical to cultivating the best in human nature.
Education enables people to become better and more enlightened versions of themselves.
An uneducated man, Plato stresses, is like a chained prisoner to the cave wall, unable to discern
reality from appearance. Yet, it is this ability to distinguish, develop a sense of perception, and
discern between what is most real and what is simply appearance that begins the fundamental
basis for education and self-awareness. Roger Huard builds on this idea in his book, Platos
Political Philosophy the Cave, Humans are distinguished by an ability to see things in many
ways, to make and interpret reality within many frameworks, to see a multiplicity of appearances
whose validity depends entirely upon the context within which they are perceived (2) . Thus the
importance of being able to acknowledge difference is introduced and of having a widening
sense of perception that is not limited to that of a chained prisoner. It seems it is our job first as
humans to develop in ourselves a sense of desire, a desire to grow, a desire to see past mere
appearances, and to challenge ourselves to discover the real world. This desire is something
powerful that leads us towards education. Once people have begun to acquire knowledge and
intellect they thrive and flourish. Plato states, But here is my vision: the shape of the good is

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finally and with difficulty seen in the knowable realm, and when seen it must be reckoned the
cause of everything upright and beautiful in all. . . giver of truth and intelligence in the
intelligible world, that which a man must see to act rationally for himself or his community
(178) . It is easily arguable that Plato values knowledge and sees it irrevocably linked to truth,
which in turn allows people to understand themselves. This new level of consciousness achieved
through education gives people self-realization allowing them to become better versions of
themselves.
Plato implies in the cave allegory that to create a successful society citizens must be
educated. Educated citizens are able to fulfill their tasks in society and build a community that
works together to achieve a common good. This sense of common wealth and the common good
is emphasized by Plato:
the law doesnt care about any one class doing exceptionally well, but is trying to
devise this for the whole city by fitting the citizens together through persuasion
and necessity, by making them share whatever benefit each can contribute to the
common good, and by engendering beneficial men in the city- not so each may do
as he likes, but so the law may use them to bind the city together (180) .
Having an educated work force is critical to a healthy society. If each member of a community is
skilled in their individual task, valued for their unique skill set, and employed with a job that
they are exceptionally well equipped to handle, it is feasible that the reward is felt both by the
individual and the society. Education here reaches further than the individual level and begins to
form the foundation of a functional and stable society. Because the citizens of a society are
enlightened and have been introduced to beautiful and good things (180) the society can
prosper. Plato states, Thus your city and ours will be governed awake and not in a dream as

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most cities are now, whose citizens fight with each other about shadows of civil war over rule, as
though rule were some great good (181) . Plato importantly emphasizes that educated citizens
are conscious and that this coming together of common welfare promotes abundance and not
ruin. Plato is showing that education builds a basis of thought for the founding of healthy
affluent communities, nations, and countries.
The cave allegory also highlights that education develops the best side of human nature
and discourages base behavior. Through education the human soul is enriched according to Plato.
This enrichment is provided to people by being exposed to truth. However, in this striving for
truth, fortunately, we are not alone. People are introduced to educators who help them in truth
seeking throughout their education. Plato sees himself, the philosopher, as an educator, Then
our job as founders, I said is to force the best natures to reach the learning we called the highestto climb that ascent and see the good, and when theyve climbed and sufficiently seen, not to
permit them whats permitted them now (180) . Plato is making a point that once people have
been exposed to truth educators must help them to not turn away from the truth and remain in the
light of knowledge. In the Claymation video when the figure is finally exposed to the light
outside the cave the figure is experiencing truth. It is important that the figure doesnt return to
the cave that contains many appearances. The threat of the appearance is always encroaching on
the figure. It is the same threat that people are faced with: that appearances are constantly
threatening to encompass the real. Heidegger states in his book The Essence of Truth : On
Plato's Cave Allegory and Theaetetus, How much has been self evident and obvious to humans
and yet later turned out to be illusory, the opposite of truth and sound knowledge! (4) .
Education is what stops us from returning to the cave or returning to illusions for comfort
because they feel safe. Even if growth is challenging and uncomfortable, it marks the way to

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developing insight and intelligence. Therefore, in learning truth people are pushed to excel and
reveal the very best of their nature.
The cave allegory shows that grasping for truth is a life pursuit and that education is a life
pursuit. What can be more important to us as people than our education: our ability to perceive,
discern, interpret, and grow? Education is responsible for developing a sense of self, building
strong societies, and bringing forth the best in human nature; thus education is simply invaluable.

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Works Cited
Bullheadent. "The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato's Allegory in Clay." Online video clip.
YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2008. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
Heidegger, Martin. The essence of truth : on Plato's cave allegory and Theaetetus. London:
Continuum, 2002. Print.
Huard, Roger. Plato's Political Philosophy : The Cave. New York: Algora, 2007. Print.
Plato. The Republic. Trans. Raymond Larson. Illinois: Harlan Davidson Inc, 1979. Print.