The Simile of the Cave

The allegory of the cave is one of Plato's most renowned pieces of work. It was meant to bring to light the knowledge that all humans are averse to change and that we, as human beings, are comfortable living a known, shallow life. He was trying to symbolise a man's tendency to walk the known path of life rather than lead a more challenging life in which he would be more likely to find the "real truth".

The hypothetical cave is set up in a way so that it's inhabitants are constantly looking at the shadows, cast from the fire, that is situated behind them. They have no freedom to move or alter what they see, leading them to believe that these shadows, this environment is "the real truth". However, somewhere down the line, one prisoner begins to doubt this mundane existence. In response to his inquisitiveness he breaks the chains that bind him and escapes the cave to venture into the unknown (to him) world. 

To begin with, he struggles to adapt to the newfound sunlight, which his eyes are untrained to deal with. But once he got used to the foreign elements that halted his progress, he began his search for the truth. For a new reality. During his journey, his thoughts are cast back to the prisoners whom he shared the dark cave with. He decided to return to the cave and share his discovery with all his former companions. 

However, he was not met with a great deal of astonishment, neither did he intrigue his old friends. Instead, when he told them that the cave was in fact an 'imaginary' reality, he was met with both disbelief and disregard. The now philosopher was deemed a pariah, one who should be cast from the cave in order to preserve its belief system. The "cavelings" had become used to and dependant on the morals and views of their predecessors.

This short, thought-provoking anecdote emphasises the blind following of false truths. People are content to live by the rules and ideas of the people around and 'above' them. Happy to remain in their comfortable bubble of make-believe, rather than lead a more challenging life. One that would eventually lead to greater truths. 

On a more positive note, Plato's story is predominantly centred around the man who questioned the reality in which he had been placed. Plato used this character to explain how once in a while somebody, a philosopher, will question the boundaries of their existence. He will wonder why things are as they are and determine for himself how things should be.