Study Questions
Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave"
from The Republic, in Education: Power and Choices,
pp. 22-29
Helpful hint -- the allegory contains an analogy, which can be presented
as follows:
"Our everyday knowledge as known by the senses" compares to "genuine knowledge
as seen in light of the good," in just the same way as "the world of shadows
seen by light of the fire" compares to "the world of things seen by the light
of the sun."
- Plato notes two kinds of "disturbance" of the eyes. One
results from moving from darkness into a region of blinding light; the other
results from moving from light into a region of blinding darkness. What movements
of the mind or soul bring about similar "disturbances" in one's ability to
know and understand the world?
| Write an answer
to the following as Study Question #5. |
- Plato describes two different beliefs about what the
process of education is. What are they? Try to think of cases in your own
experience where each belief seemed to be at work behind a teacher's approach.
Which do you prefer?
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- What is the point of Plato's discussion of the "clever
rogue" (this could also be translated as "bad, but smart man")? (p. 23)
- Why does Plato say that anyone who comes to see the good
(escapes the cave) due to the state?s effort to educate them is obligated
to use his or her wisdom to lead the state, while others who escape on their
own are not obligated to do this? Why wouldn?t such a person want to serve
the state in this way?
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