Plato's Cave Analogy

In Book 7 of the Republic, Plato attempted to characterize a philosopher king and to describe the kind knowledge that is necessary for a philosopher king. He defines a philosopher as a lover of knowledge. And this knowledge must be of things as they are and not simply of belief. The Analogy of the Cave is used to compare the effect and the lack of knowledge or education on human nature as well as the responsibility that accompanies it.

Plato describes the cave as an underground dwelling with an entrance up at a distance. The men that live there are chained and can only see in front of them. (They represent the uneducated). There is a fire that provides them light, but it is above and behind them. Between the light and them is a path that has a low wall alongside it. Men carry all sorts...
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