to wonder or not to wonder: Plato's allegory of the Cave 3-2-18

allegory- a story, poem, or picture that can contain a hidden meaning, or moral, or political lesson

life is like being chained up in a cave forced to watch shadows flickering on a stone wall
found in book 7 of the Republic
he didn't think democracy was the best form of government for Greece
these chained prisoners since birth, the fire behind them gives off a faint light
identify shadows with names
one prisoner freed outside, sunlight hurts his eyes. he is overwhelmed
the shadow appears clearer to him than the real objects at first
having a hard time processing it all
the sun's light is the ultimate source of everything he has seen
prisoners resist friend of the light, they dont want to be freed
they say he is stupid and blind
people are hostile to anyone who points out their ignorance
they are not comfortable not knowing everything about everything
people are hostile to anyone who tells them somethingthing they dont already know
they dont want to learn about everything
Plato's POV= No to Athenian Democracy; yes to philosopher kings
no democracy, you dont deserve a vote because you don't want to learn, you are ignorant
LIKE A SHADOW ON THE WALL, THINGS IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD ARE FLAWED REFLECTIONS OF IDEAL FORMS
he says the general population is too stubborn and ignorant to rule themselves in a democracy
for theologians, the ideal form of knowledge exists in the mind of a creator/God
abstract descriptions are hard to define(evil, beauty, justice ect.)

to wonder or not to wonder