The Nature Of Truth Plato s The Cave Essay - 1704 Words

There are few core values that both scholars and laymen alike can agree serve as integral components to understanding human existence. While these values are often broad in nature, they help build the fundamental foundations to answer common existential questions that plague mankind. One of the most prominent core values that is frequently discussed by both professionals in academic circles and inquisitive minds in casual conversations is the value of truth. Truth appears to be a simple and objective concept on the surface; however, its breadth is vast and can create numerous sub-discussions on the nature of humanity and existence. Many philosophers have expounded in the nature of truth: what it is, what it means in relation to humanity, and how understanding the essence of truth can aid in the quest to answer mankind s existential questions. One of the most famous allegorical tales that pontificates on the reality of truth is Plato s The Cave, using the story of two chained characte rs forced to understand their reality based on mere shadows of images passing through a fire behind them. This paper seeks to explode Plato s ideas of truth in The Cave, asking questions on truth s universal value, the absolute nature of truth, and how truth can be both a problematic and useful value when applied to society at large. The truth itself as a value if neither good nor bad; yet, it is often interpreted as a positive trait, action, or characteristic. Pivoting from this belief, itShow MoreRelatedPlato s Allegory Of The Cave Essay1630 Words   |  7 Pagescase with Plato s allegory of the cave, which has for over 2,500 years inspired significant contributions to theorizations of truth. Despite the age of Plato s work, the truth in the allegory is demonstrated by its own universality; as a formative piece of literature, the story acts as a gateway into Western discourses of truth. Truth remains an elusive quality, particularly when it is elevated to a universal value. Elevation as such brings into question the possibility of universal truth. The allegoryRead MoreThe Allegory Of The Cave1307 Words   |  6 PagesAllegory of the Cave there are prisoners are chained up together in which they are all facing the back wall. There is a firing behind the prisoners and the only thing that they can see are the sh adows of the people behind them. The fire casts shadows on the wall so this is the only thing that they see. Their entire lives have been based on these shadows on the wall. These prisoners have been chained up since birth, so what they see on the walls is all they know. In the Allegory of the Cave, they let oneRead MoreCritical View Into Philip Zimbardo s Stanford Prison Experiment 1530 Words   |  7 Pagesinto Philip Zimbardo s Stanford Prison Experiment Zimbardo s prison experiment continues to receive a lot of critics from the manner in which it was carried out to the results that its portrayed. Some people believe that as a psychologist, Zimbardo should have done a better job in trying to show how good can turn into evil through the said experiment. The research also demonstrates the interaction between the reality and the illusion which is also the concepts that Plato portrays in his analogyRead MoreThe Allegory Of The Cave By Plato1511 Words   |  7 PagesIn our class, we read three powerful and meaningful texts. We started by reading The Allegory of the Cave by Plato, a Greek philosopher who lived from 428-347 B.C.E. 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Because of this, one s surroundings and associates can also influence one s perception of what is authentic; consequently, one s beliefRead MorePlato : Art, Poetry And The Theory Of Forms912 Words   |  4 PagesPlato: Art, Poetry and the Theory of Forms In The Republic, Plato argues that poetry and certain art forms including painting and drama, are mimetic and merely representations of various truths, which exist only in an abstract state he describes as â€Å"Forms† . In order to understand his repudiation of art and poetry, it s important to grasp the fundamental idea of Forms, and how they relate to truth in his view. According to Plato ( through Socratic dialogue), Forms are abstract ideas that representRead MoreWhy the Philospher Should Rule (Plato)1708 Words   |  7 PagesA DILEMMA FOR HE TO CHOOSE TO RULE. WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE COMPELLED AND WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE COMPULSION? 3) BE SURE TO COMMENT ON HOW THIS QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE ANSWER PLATO ATTEMPTS TO CONSTRUCT TO GLAUCONS CHALLENGE? Part 1 In Plato’s Republic, Plato sets out to prove that it is always better to be just than unjust. Doing so requires him to look into the soul of human beings. Souls by nature are difficult to examine so he suggests that he use the analogy of a city-state. UsingRead MoreAnalysis : The Panther Panel On The People Of Chauvet 1732 Words   |  7 Pagesaggression in the panthers can be observed. The fear of animals was one of the potential reasons why the images in the Chauvet cave were created and the fear of the people could be demonstrated through this portrayal of aggression in the animals. Another aspect is the want to understand their surroundings. This desire within the people to understand the animals and nature that surrounds them is the care to detail within the panthers. 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