Activity 2.

3 Journal Writing #2
Introductions: Write your reflection about the allegory of the cave. (Rubrics see page 6)
Guide Questions:
1. What are the symbols in the allegory of the cave which represents reality?

- Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is a theoretical concept that the philosopher devised to
ponder the nature of presumption versus knowledge. The allegory contains many types
of symbolism used to make the reader understand the nature of perception. The cave
represents the visual or external world in which people just normally react to the
information that is presented to them. The outside world represents a greater level of
comprehension in which forms and facts are unchanging. The prisoners are represented
as souls trapped in a sensory world. They’re imprisoned in their existence and have no
idea what life is like in the outer world. They could only see what is on the cave wall and
only see brief flashes from the outside world. The chain represents anything and
everything that restricts an individual's opportunity to comprehend. The puppet-masters
represent people and organizations who create knowledge. The fire is a medium of
artificial light that signifies falsified or fabricated information and beliefs. These may or
may not be valid, but they are still passed down from one generation to another. The
shadows represent the information and beliefs that we obtain from anyone and embrace
them as truths. The rough ascent represents the act of letting go of traditional values and
accepting new ones. We don't want to do it, so it's a complicated process. The sun
represents the general symbol of reality, wisdom, and goodwill. The moon represents
the rightness, validity, and wisdom that has been reflected. But the righteousness
obtained isn’t an absolute interpretation, just as the moon does not reveal the true nature
of things. And lastly, the teacher represents those people who seek to educate others
and have the power to encourage learning. These are the symbols in the allegory of the
cave which represents reality.

2. What does the allegory of the cave want to say in our current situation?

- Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, it’s describing to us how we are blinded by what we are
only permitted to see. If we were to see the truth, at that point we would return to tell the
others, but they would not believe us. If you put that into our current situation, we may
compare it to the conspiracy intellectuals. They think that the government is covering up
us from the truth, which the only way to learn is to go beyond the boundaries set by the
law. He portrays the world as if there are tons of obscure things out there. From the day
we were born we were told so numerous things whether they are genuine or not. We are
so involved in today’s society that we can’t see what is right and wrong. Each day we
develop more seasoned and see the shadows go by us. If we work together as a group,
we might break free of the chains and walk into the light. Like Plato said the light is
exceptionally blinding but this is often since the truth is very shocking to us. We then see
the truth and we could inevitably bury that cave and let everybody see a clear truth. To
bury the cave of lies, we need to work together and have trust.

3. What beliefs and assumptions (shadows) currently shape your reality?

- Beliefs and assumptions can shape our reality in a variety of ways, one of which is
through their influence on a person's character. If we believe we’re knowledgeable,
qualified, and worthy of our dream path, we will be more likely to search out and
discover opportunities that will assist us in achieving it. Some of the time, convictions
can restrain our happiness and potential. Far as well frequently, they are so profoundly
established in intellect, that you simply live totally unaware to them. Some of them I
made myself based on my encounters and perceptions of the world. They began out just
as working presumptions around how parts of the world are, but over time they got to be
solidified desires which act like a focal point and channel through which you see and
decipher the world. My convictions shape and compel my contemplations and actions.
They act as a particular channel of what information I'll acknowledge or dismiss and they
color my perception of the information that I just do get. My convictions permit only
certain contemplations to enter my intellect, and refuse others, and since contemplations
are inventive, this compels what's conceivable to show. Contemplations that drop
outside of what you believe or accept is conceivable will not be engaged and, in this
way, cannot be showed.

4. Who are you in the allegory of the cave? The prisoners? Or the freed prisoner?
And why?

- The prisoners, it’s because it represents us humans especially individuals who are
submerged within the superficial world of appearances. Individuals have misplaced the
capacity to know reality and the world’s true needs. People are prisoners of a modern
reality based on triviality, and cannot see the genuine meaning of life. More critically,
people have lost the capacity to associate with their true origin, each person’s reason for
giving to others. This can be symbolized within the purposeful anecdote by the shadows
wherein the prisoners can only see the shadows cast by fire onto the cave dividers and
they cannot see the real human bodies moving on the earth over them, nor can they see
the genuine source of light, which is the sun. However, not all of the prisoners are
chained by their failure to see the world’s truth. In his moral story, Plato examines a sort
of prisoner that's liberated from their chains. Plato believes and accepts that these
liberated prisoners are logicians. These logicians or philosophers are the individuals who
choose to stand up to challenge, hold a genuine desire to discover the meaning of life,
and most imperatively, choose to lead others, utilizing their information to open other
people’s eyes.

5. Are you willing to question and adjust these assumptions? If so, what can you do
on a daily basis to build this habit?
- One of the main life lessons from Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is to question each
presumption we have about the reality which we call real. Usually, it’s an effective way to
develop the aptitude of considering ourselves and finding our special solutions to any
issue. The more presumptions we address or question, the less likely we will make awful
choices and mistakes that may essentially cost us. It takes strength to step outside of
our consolation zone and think in an unexpected way than we’ve already done. But the
rewards are continuously worth it. Finally, remember that it’s not sufficient to take off the
cave. It’s much more important to remain outside of the cave. Plato’s Moral story is that
it could be a reminder that not everybody will get it or be cheerful for you, once you
choose to change your propensities and viewpoint on life. Similar to how the individuals
within the cave reacted to the escaped prisoner who returned you will anticipate
companions and family to laugh at your mindless thoughts. It’s typical to confront
criticism once you take off the cave. In the end, if you can’t persuade them through your
words, persuade them through your actions because actions speak louder than words.