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  • Study Questions For Plato's "The Allegory of The Cave": Context

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    lydia
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    The document provides context and study questions about Plato's "Allegory of the Cave". Plato uses the allegory to illustrate his philosophical views about the nature of reality and knowledge. It describes prisoners chained in a cave seeing only shadows on the cave wall and believing them to be real. The allegory represents Plato's view that people confuse perception with truth and philosophy is needed to free them. The study questions probe key aspects of the allegory and Plato's philosophy including his views on knowledge, education, the role of philosophers, and the relationship between the allegory and science.

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    Fichas de historia

    Original Title

    Historia

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    The document provides context and study questions about Plato's "Allegory of the Cave". Plato uses the allegory to illustrate his philosophical views about the nature of reality and knowledge. It describes prisoners chained in a cave seeing only shadows on the cave wall and believing them to be real. The allegory represents Plato's view that people confuse perception with truth and philosophy is needed to free them. The study questions probe key aspects of the allegory and Plato's philosophy including his views on knowledge, education, the role of philosophers, and the relationship between the allegory and science.

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    79 views2 pages

    Study Questions For Plato's "The Allegory of The Cave": Context

    Uploaded by

    lydia
    The document provides context and study questions about Plato's "Allegory of the Cave". Plato uses the allegory to illustrate his philosophical views about the nature of reality and knowledge. It describes prisoners chained in a cave seeing only shadows on the cave wall and believing them to be real. The allegory represents Plato's view that people confuse perception with truth and philosophy is needed to free them. The study questions probe key aspects of the allegory and Plato's philosophy including his views on knowledge, education, the role of philosophers, and the relationship between the allegory and science.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Study Questions for Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”

    Please write out your answers to the questions that follow and/or take notes
    on the relevant areas in the text. It is best to get into the habit of doing this
    while reading. You should complete this exercise after you have read and
    highlighted, or noted, areas of the text that you think are important. The
    purpose of this exercise is to help you follow the author’s intent and to think
    critically about his arguments. Below are a list of questions that, once
    answered, will ensure that you have a good outline of the story’s purpose and
    an in-depth understanding of its historical importance.
    Context:
    The Allegory of the Cave, also known as The Myth of the Cave, is Classical
    Greek philosopher Plato’s most famous and ingenious composition. It occurs
    in the seventh book of The Republic, the magnum opus of his political
    philosophy. Plato’s The Republic, particularly The Allegory of the Cave, is
    instrumental in the development of traditional Western philosophy, particularly
    for the introduction to a fundamental and abiding theme in philosophy, “the
    essence of truth.”

    The Allegory of the Cave is a parable designed by Plato to illustrate the power
    of philosophy to free and enlighten men. This narrative unfolds Plato's
    notions about the structure of the world and “the essence of truth,” challenging
    many of our conceptions of the cosmos and political beliefs. In this allegory,
    abstract thinking is portrayed as the key element which holds access to real
    truth. Building upon the teachings of his mentor, Socrates, The Allegory of
    the Cave represents Plato's own reflections on the origin, nature, methods,
    and limits of human knowledge (epistemology), as well as on the real nature
    of things (metaphysics).

    Questions:

    1. How does The Allegory of the Cave illustrate Plato’s view of the physical world?

    2. According to Plato, how can we find the “true essence” of an object?

    3. In this parable, how is the human soul described?

    4. How does the allegory describe the process of acquiring knowledge?

    5. After reading this allegory, how do you think Plato would describe “happiness?”

    Saylor URL: www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#5.3.5

    The Saylor Foundation Saylor.org


    Page 1 of 2
    6. Who are the “people chained in the cave?”

    7. According to The Allegory of the Cave, how should the process of education be
    approached?

    8. According to The Allegory of the Cave, what is the main task of the philosopher?

    9. Who are the “guardians” or philosopher-kings?

    10. Why should philosopher-kings rule?

    11. How does Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave relate to science and scientific research?

    Saylor URL: www.saylor.org/courses/hist101/#5.3.5

    The Saylor Foundation Saylor.org


    Page 2 of 2

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