Baudrillard and Hyperreality Analytical Essay by Shaad

In this article, the writer analyzes Baudrillard's theory of "signs", and with particular reference to Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave'. The writer relates Plato's allegory, noting the reference to the shadows on the cave walls being signs of the real things. The writer then relates Baudrillard's theory, showing where he elaborates on Plato, such as in the notion that signs are "self-referential". The essay then points out that where Plato's stress is on signification, Baudrillard is is more concerned with how modern society avoids signification and mistakes appearances for concrete reality, thus giving rise to "simulacra". The writer describes how Baudrillard posits three levels of simulacra, and where in each level there is a further severance from reality. In the third level it is described how simulacra are not only copied, but are used to construct, or simulate, a comprehensive worldview termed "hyperreality".