Alegory of the Cave

Allegory of the Cave

Plato's allegory of the cave is the idea of finding the real truth versus accepting what you have. When one stays in the cave, the real truth is never found, and the people accept what they have and "it is what it is". When one leaves the cave, they show desire to search and learn what the real truth may be. By searching for the real truth of life, one may expand their knowledge and horizons by going into uncomfortable areas they have never been before. In this paper I will explain what it means to stay in the cave, and to leave the cave. I will also show why it is better to leave the cave and what one may learn and experience by leaving the cave by using real life experiences. One may learn new ideas and about other cultures by going to new places and interacting with people different from them.

Staying in the cave is symbolism for accepting the idea of "it is what it is". People who elect to stay in the cave, accept life for what it is. They refrain from new experiences, gaining more knowledge and expanding their horizons. They stay in the cave because their cave is their comfort level. They will live life comfortably but will always accept looking at the shadows instead of seeing the objects that make the shadows..

Meanwhile, coming out of the cave is searching for the reasons of why things are the way they are. While in the cave, a person may ask why do those shadows appear that way. Someone coming out of the cave, will search for the truth to answer the question. They will spend their life searching and finding the facts of life. This does mean that they will challenge their own comfort levels, and not always be in a situation that they know what the outcome may be.

Some may believe that staying in the cave is the better and safer way to live a life. However, if we would have all chosen to live inside the cave, we as a civilization, wouldn't be where we are today. I believe