Plato’s allegory of the cave

Plato’s allegory of the cave illustrates his metaphysical theory by showing that there are in fact two realities, but we the ordinary person are just unaware of them. The most apparent reality is the world of our senses also known as the word of physical objects. The other world is the realm of forms, which is also known as the world of ideas. His theory of forms displays the thinking between people and the very few philosophers who are capable of governing society. Plato feels that the philosophers that escape the cave are now able to have the knowledge of what is ultimately worthwhile in life.

In Plato’s Republic, he presents us with a story of a cave, in which people are bound and unable to see anywhere except for directly ahead of them. In this position the prisoners are not aware of their own limited perspectives. Behind them is a fire and puppeteers that cast shadows on the walls of the cave ahead of them. The prisoners regard the shadows on the wall as reality, and ...