Enlightenment, Cave Imagery, and "The Republic"

Paper Summary:

This paper is an analysis of the significance of enlightenment in Plato's cave. In the "Republic", Plato considers humanity as ignorant, having a need to come out of this ignorance towards enlightenment; this process is well-explained by means of the allegory of the cave. This paper shows how Plato turns his pessimism about human conditions to an optimistic view of the power of education to liberate people.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Analysis
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Some of the cave dwellers exposed to the sun will not return and they will be the reason for the sufferings of the returnees. Sun, enlightenment and real truth will be considered to be dangerous and this will provide reasons for not leaving the cave. The allegory will be continued at a deeper level in the minds of readers, but the result will be a greater truth."

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