Cave.Plato lets Socrates describe a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their
lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of a fire
behind them, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. According to Plato's Socrates, the shadows are
as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality.
Imagine human beings living in an underground cave.They have been there from childhood, and their legs and necks are chained, so that they can not move. They can only see what is before them, since their chains prevent them from turning their heads. There is a fire in a place behind and above them. And between the fire and the prisoners there is a low wall, which is like a screen at a puppet theater which hides the performers, and above which they show the puppets.
They are like us, Plato explains, because we don’t perceive reality, but only superficial shadows. Like them we are imprisoned in a limited cave, or worldview, and we assume that this is what reality is like. We don’t realize that it is only shadows on a wall, and that a greater and fuller reality exists outside our cave.
Plato’s allegory is part of his complex philosophy, which is rich in details. But if we put aside the many details of his theories, we can see the allegory in a more general way: as an allegory about our narrow and superficial way of life.The allegory touches us because it reminds us of our heart’s yearning to live more deeply and fully. Virtually every reflective person experiences this yearning, although in everyday life we are usually too busy to appreciate it. We are preoccupied with pleasing the boss, with playing the social game, worrying about our money and possessions, dreaming about a newer car or a bigger house; and then we spend the rest of the time online or watching TV. But occasionally, at special moments of self-reflection, we can hear a small voice speaking inside us and asking: “Is this all there is to my life? Shouldn’t there be something more? Can’t my life be richer, fuller, deeper than it actually is?”
Through the video 'Matrix' that shown by Mr.Ray, I realize that a person cannot fall into own illusion.Illusion will affect a person.A person cannot analysis a thing is that real and what is real.Through plato 's allegory ,he ask human don't perceive reality, but only superficial shadows.Don't make us confuse but something unreal become real.Think well before do anything,don't became the person "Neo' in the movie 'Matrix'.At the end,he suicide because he fall into his dream world.
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