Allegory of the Cave

The process of transcendence is not necessary to a human life that is fulfilling. This is because of some realities that we observe as we live in our todays world. For example, we cannot say that God does not exist in the world while we clearly see the wonders that He does from time to time. Transcendence is even similar to saying that people do not interact with their own God while we clearly know that we can reach or communicate to our God through prayers.

In addition, Platos argument that philosophers should view death as a good thing cannot be said to be true. This is because according to the Bible, after death, one does not know whether they will go to the heaven or hell. We cannot thus say that because one has died, he has been blessed.

Conversely, the argument presented by Plato that people in the world are just like prisoners in a cave with their heads chained is not true. This is because we cannot talk of and be sure of the existence of a better world which we do not know.

Transcendence process is thus not necessary because it is like an imagination that holds that life is impossible and cannot thus be achieved. Such a concept therefore can make one to live a life of imagination which will mean that it will be impossible for the person to achieve their goals. Human life can be difficult when this process of transcendence is accepted because it will be like living in a world that is not worthy of living in. People will thus see no need of living in this world. The procedure of transcendence can also be misleading to people because they will be left to wonder about various issues. For example, people will have questions like if God does not exist in the world, then who does control the activities which happen in the world.

Moreover, as Plato puts it, the Allegory of Den suffices as an allegation that illustrates his philosophical work besides showing how human nature really is. Plato views the people living in this world as people living chained in a cave facing a bare wall which is the sky. Moreover, Plato regards life in this world as being similar to living in a world of imagination. People living in this world are thus prisoners who do not have their rights. Plato also sees these shadow-like people as not getting to understand about the realities of the world. 

Conversely, Plato also sees a philosopher as a person who has been removed from the cave and freed so as to begin understanding the truth of the world. The philosopher thus enlightens the other people since such people have not yet seen how the world needs to be perceived. Plato is trying to show the need of philosophers to be the natural leaders in the world since they seem to understand the world correctly. Philosophers can thus enlighten the people on better ways of living.

In addition, through his Allegory of the Cave treatise, Plato tries to expound on the process of education. He thus sees education as just directing the children or the people being educated. Learners are however not transferring what they know to one another. As Plato puts it in the Allegory of the Cave, the nation is not exposed to the correct way of living. It thus needs a person who understands the way life should be so as to guide society by ruling the nation. The ruler will thus make the citizens to recognize the reality of the world they are living in.

As Plato is showing it, The Allegory of the Den is also related to the suns metaphor. Moreover, it also concerns the allegory of divided line where people are shown as having the idea of struggling to see reality beyond their illusions.

Plato is not right in saying that normal human life is a sort of bondage. This is because human life is not fixed to a certain behavior which everyone has to follow but one has to lead their life the way they deem fit. Living in this world does not matter so much on whom you are or what you know but how you would like to lead your life. Even if you are living in a world which you do not understand, there is nothing that can tie your life or dictate to you the way you are supposed to live. Life is just a rehearsal. This means that people live because they found themselves in the world. Moreover, they live according to what they see as good for them to do. They do not thus live as per their imaginations and illusions that cannot be achieved.

While living, one has to accept whichever aspect comes his way and devise suitable ways to overcome it if possible. One should however not fear death because it is something that everyone must ultimately experience.

Attaining knowledge cannot be said to be a sort of bondage to human life because people attain various kinds of knowledge since people naturally have different talents and abilities. Human life can be characterized by several processes which one has to pass through. It however depends on specific individuals since one cannot have the same experience like another person. Plato is concerned about the body being a hindering factor to gaining knowledge. He cannot thus explain how life can be like a sort of bondage.

In addition, Plato sees the philosopher being better-off as compared to the prisoners. This is because the philosopher has knowledge and understands the world more accurately than the prisoner. The philosopher also has the qualities of leading. He thus sees himself as being fit and justified in ruling the other people. The philosopher has also been exposed as having a clear view of the outside world. On the other hand, the prisoner lives like a shadow with illusions that cannot be achieved at any time. Plato sees the philosopher as someone who can live well in this world. This is because the philosopher understands how things happen in the world and the way one should deal with social and psychological problems. Conversely, the prisoner is living in a dark world and does not thus even understand his rights or even understand how he is supposed to live well in the world. The philosopher is better-off than the prisoner because he has the knowledge which the prisoner does not have. The philosopher is therefore supposed to enlighten the other people to get knowledge so as to understand and adopt better ways so that they can improve the world they are living in. The world will thus become a better place that people can live in.

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