Plato's cave myth: explanation of this allegory

Plato was the creator of the myth of the cave, which is an allegory that allows to symbolize a fairly abstract idea as we are going to see. From the outset, it is something that not many people consider in their day-to-day lives, but it is certainly transcendent in our lives.

Plato's myth starts from easily intelligible narrative resources, so that we can better represent the abstract idea in question. We are going to see, then, this myth that has influenced Western philosophy throughout the centuries and its explanation

Plato's Cave Myth

This myth has as its central idea the relationship we have between the physical world and the world of ideas. The story begins by explaining that there are some men who are chained in a cave. These were born in the cave itself, and have always been there without being able to go out or see anything of the outside world. In fact, their chains even prevent them from turning to look back.

Therefore these men are always staring straight ahead. In front of them is a wall, and on it moving shadows are projected. These, as it cannot be otherwise, are an inverted projection of objects that prevent the passage of light.

The origin of this light is a bonfire that is located behind the men, a few meters away and at a height higher than that of their heads.

Between the bonfire and the men there is a small wall, and in it are some men crouching. These men use objects that they raise above the wall, and this causes their shadows to be projected onto the wall that the chained men have in front of them and that they can look at.

This is how chained men see silhouettes of animals, trees, mountains, etc. A play of light and shadow that creates a fictional reality for them, since they do not know or can imagine what is happening behind them.

Reflection of the allegory

The men who were chained had been creating a type of representations about the world in their minds their whole lives that had little to do with what was happening. The reality they were thinking about was contrived, deceptive and superficial, since the shadows were a fiction that distracted them from the reality they do not know and of which they are deprived.

In case a man managed to unleash himself and look back, what would probably happen to him is that he would be very scared to see the fire. Instead, if he looked at the wall he would find the familiar silhouettes of him moving.

But if this person dared to approach the bonfire and walk to the exit, what would terrify him would be the sunlight, that would leave him blinded. Returning to the dark area would be the most likely option, since there he would find shelter and security in his family and particular reality.

Anyway, now he would know that there is something behind there that is creepy and he would not be as calm. His classmates probably wouldn't believe it either.

Maybe with time something would make him investigate what is happening behind there, and finally he would go outside and get used to what he saw. Once the person left the cave and returned to the cave after a while, nothing would be the same again. His vision of the world would be different, while that of his companions would remain the same. They would say that he is crazy or they would make fun of him.

Explanation of the meaning of the myth of the cave

With this story Plato tried to make us see that human beings easily fall into traps when we try to interpret the world of ideas. He was a defender of ideas that represented idealistic philosophy, and in this case we highlight the most relevant to explain the myth:

1. There's really only one

The truth is one and only, and exists beyond the opinions of different human beings. When we meet her, we want to rebel against the chains that we didn't even see before.

A very clear example of this is in a situation of social revolution, which has happened at different times in history. When the working class has perceived that their living conditions were not "normal" and that the ruling class was exploiting them, they emerge to change the paradigm.

2. The deception is very present

There are a series of deceptions that make it impossible for us to get closer to the truth. These are the result of a will so that people are uninformed and cannot possess the power that comes from having knowledge of the facts.

The human being needs the capacity for questioning at the philosophical, scientific, humanistic level, etc. If not, the superficiality that surrounds material life prevents access to the world of ideas, where we can find the truth.

3. There is no going back

Plato knew that once the truth is known it is impossible to go back. A person who becomes aware of the falsehood and deception that has been clouding his vision then has a moral obligation to spread the truth.

The difficult thing is that it can be successful, because the dogmas that others have are very strong. Confusion can turn into contempt for the questioner.

That is why Plato does not conceive access to knowledge as an individual duty. Not everyone is gifted with the tools or lucky enough to get out of the cave. Therefore, the one who reaches the knowledge has to spread it to others, and thus contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of society.