Commentary on Allegory of the Cave Essay

The Allegory of the Cave

The allegory of the cave from Platos Republic has journeyed through many centuries, yes is still considered an accurate depiction of modern day primary educational systems (kindergarten through twelfth-grade). The allegory centers on the idea that the human race is not willing to search for answers, and is not willing to press the boundaries that are placed before them as a child. The educational system in the modern day, to a point, is built around the same constituents as the idea that no one, while never being presented with the idea of breaking free, will decide to break out of the norm. This breaking out of the norm, or fleeing from the cave, is similar to modern students breaking free of primary schooling and taking the step into the light by voyaging to a secondary schooling system such as college. Both the idea of the cave and the principles of modern education rely on humankind being willing to subdue to a greater power. However this power is not one that they choose, but rather one that is forced on them at birth.

The modern day education system is similar to the idea of keeping people with their necks and legs fettered, able to see only in front of them, because their bonds prevent them from turning their heads around (VII. 514a). Educational systems today force the students to learn only some helpful real-life information, give them biased recollections of past events, and believe that without proper guidance no one would learn. All of these qualities can be related to the imprisonment of the helpless people in the allegory. In the cave, the people can only learn about what is around them, not what is truly useful to their living, much like in the school systems today. The amount of useful real-life information that is provided in school systems today is very minimal, instead focusing on forcing certain subjects on to the students. The cave dwellers are only allowed to see the light provided by a fire burning far above and behind them (VII. 514a) and students in modern school systems are only allowed to see the facts that the school systems want them to see. Besides giving a lack of real-life information, school systems give students predisposed facts regarding past events, much like the cave dwellers are given false pretences about shadows on the wall. If students are only presented with biased historical recollections which are provided by the school systems, then they can be compared with prisoners presented only with shadows on a wall in front of them. The prisoners, or students, believe that the truth is nothing other than the shadows of those artifacts (VII. 515c) because that is all they have seen in their life. This causes them to have a limited view on life, hindering their abilities to look at anything from another persons perspective. Finally the modern school system and the allegory are similar due to their belief that people will fail without proper guidance, never challenging themselves to learn. Even without being forced to go to primary school as a child, many people would still present themselves with the challenge to learn things, just not the same things as would be taught in school, allowing them to focus on something they truly like, the opposite of what Socrates relied on in order to form his idea of the cave. Also, Socrates suggests that if presented with the opportunity to escape from the cave, no one would grasp the chance and flee into the light; however, in modern day it is clear by the amount of students who continue onto college that many are willing to step into the light and take control of the knowledge offered. In the allegory Socrates relies on the thought that if people were raised to only see the life in front of them, they would never attempt to learn about what else is around them out of fear. This proposal is invalid as it can clearly be seen through historical events such as the civil rights movement or the revolution that some people are willing to break out of the norm and fight the power, no matter how dangerous or improbable it is. Overall the allegory of the cave from Platos Republic and todays educational systems are very similar, relying on some of the same principles.

Throughout the allegory of the cave it is clear that the prisoners can be represented by students enrolled in todays education system, or the cave. The prisoners are not allowed to gain knowledge that would truly help them in life outside the cave, only the knowledge of what is around them. Students in the school system today are also only presented with the knowledge that they find in school, and are not always prepared adequately for life outside the school system. Also, the prisoners can only see shadows of artifacts being cast on the wall in front of them, similar to the students who are only presented with biased information regarding past events. These shadows are meant to scare the prisoners; much like the knowledge that is offered to students is intended to keep them in school. The prisoners are, finally, expected to comply with the restrictions placed on them, never attempting to learn about the world around them, or attempt to break free. In todays society students are expected to follow the guidelines set up by the education, however it is impossible to expect every person to submit to power. It is clear after examining both the education system in present day and the allegory of the cave that they are very similar, and both can be used as an accurate depiction of the other.