Plato's Cave Allegory: Exposing Life's Illusions

[@simonhough]

I am still in my cave watching projected shadows on the you tube after spending many years watching shadows on the television and in the cinema.

[@moodforaday-rl3ww]

Your content is amazing, and the way in which you explain different themes and ideas is so fun to watch

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks so much. Every time I publish a video, I’m always tweaking things and experimenting. I’m never really sure if it’s going to work or not. So it’s always nice to hear people are connecting with the material. Thanks again!

[@matthewirizarry5710]

Thanks!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found the video worthwhile!

[@WileyHyena]

I remember the day when I first understood the evening news on TV. I was 13 or 14. I realized that I understood what they were talking about for the first time. It was astonishing enough that I remember it to this day and now I'm 60. Surely, education is a component of Plato's allegory. But back then....the thought that people might grow up through their lives until death without ever understanding beyond a child's mentality the world they live in, is to this day a remarkable observation, and somewhat frightening.

[@lance1097]

Most go through their life without understanding reality. Not like a child, but not seeing the big picture. It takes a lot of digging to understand more, and most won't put in the effort

[@samibabar]

Just explained in the easiest way. Subscribed👌

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks. Glad you found it helpful!

[@anneovachun]

Dang you know how to use your calling...I could watch you for, and do, for hours. Could teach anything ---- have my undivided attention. You go teacher....GO GO GO !

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks very much! That's very kind of you to say. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@zeff]

hmmm, interesting 🤨 The same day you posted this video, I had a psychopathology class where they were explaining the default mode network of the brain, which is an interconnected group of brain structures that activate when we are at rest. This network would hypothetically be what makes us daydream, recall some memories, think about the future, etc. The first thing that came to my mind was this allegory of the cave. We are not very good at remembering things, we have certain biases and we omit some things. That is to say, we would be projecting the shadows of our experiences or generating possible futures. My psychopathology teacher told me that it is a very good way of seeing it 🤨😂 As always great video Professor!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Really interesting connection!

[@Mattshakes]

This was a brilliant video. Thank you and I’ll subscribe to your channel.

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks, and welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy the channel.

[@ebrahimlaher3705]

Thanks for the new video. You have such a cool way of coming across with these concepts. Wish you can post more often

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks! I wish I could post more often too! Trying to streamline my process. But I’ve also got a lot of offline responsibilities. Sinks full of dirty dishes are always getting in the way of my video editing!

[@joshuajackson3344]

Amazing explanation!

[@GreatBooksProf]

@@joshuajackson3344 Thanks! 😊

[@joshsmith4459]

Here before everyone else finds your hidden gem of a channel 👌

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks, Josh! Welcome!

[@AndrewCastrillon]

Great Video! At first I thought it was a person trying to make their way out of the realm of Hades, and once the person got out and, saw paradise for the first time.

[@alanturingtesla]

Keep up the good work!

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks! Will do.

[@you-know-who9023]

Hello from Ireland. This was an excellent explanation , which together with your video on Social Contract thinking was a valuable 30 minites or so. Glad I found your channel and it was an easy decision to subscribe.👍

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks very much! I’m glad you enjoyed the videos. Welcome aboard! 🇮🇪

[@johnkavallieros6780]

Just congratulations and thank you.

[@chaygibson9167]

I have 5-6 whole cloves with fresh squeezed lemon, TBS of raw honey with beehive in it, ginger root, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, herbal tea bag, and hot water (212°F)😊

[@marlinknight315]

Excellent

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks!

[@mimi1girl2dempsey3]

Well being a student of A COURSE IN MIRACLES THE CAVE IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

[@gklinabq]

I just watched "Le Conformiste" (Bertolucci/1970). Plato's allegory of the cave is mentioned and discussed and appears to be a major theme of the movie, which deals with the rise and fall of Fascism (Mussolini) in Italy. The main character arranges for the assassination of his former professor who is living abroad (France) but represents a threat to the fascist government in Italy due to his subversive activities. Meanwhile, one can also view the puppet masters within the context of the spectacle (Guy Debord - The Situationalists). So yes, I believe Plato's allegory has a political dimension. Fascinating discussion - Thanks for sharing

[@GreatBooksProf]

Very interesting! Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve not seen Le Conformiste. I saw The Lives of Others a few years ago and think about that film all the time. It’s another great movie about living under Fascism. Have you seen it?

[@gklinabq]

No, I have not seen "The Lives of Others" but I will watch it this afternoon.

[@gklinabq]

"The Lives of Others" is an excellent move BTW. It illustrates how the Soviet-style bureaucracy became as repressive as the bourgeoisie. I ordered a copy of "The Republic" to add to the pile of books I want to read during my retirement. I decided that I should read the foundational literature, so I better understand the work that came afterward. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@Greblav]

Are there like step 2. vids on this, without the usual intro which take up time?

[@annoyomus-k4m]

I think he was looking inward anyalizing his depression

[@Dino_Medici]

The truly blessed to be successful intro was GOATED LMAOOOOOOOOOOO

[@DJK-cq2uy]

What the hell???? Are you talking about? 🤡 😂

[@janeet8227]

I'm ruminating on how this applies to the events leading up to, and on November 5, 2024. Someone said we are no longer in the information age, we are now in the age of the influencer. So much was apparent for all to see, and yet... Perhaps it is an eternal human truth that no one wants to leave the cave, and even those of us who think we do are incapable of doing it alone, and/ or such experience, if solitary, is of questionable value. I don't mean without value, rather that such value must be questioned.

[@niazmohideen6398]

What we know versus what is known, is infinitesimally small, what is known, till now( everything universal and within our conscience, all) versus what is to be known(undiscovered yet) is inconceivable, hence, the question arises, however much we try with our humanly possible capabilities, to understand the true reality, is beyond our imagination, so can one conclude, we can move from one allegory, or story to another, which light will show us the reality, remains a question.., this search method will always end up with the basic question one started with. Education is one objective, it's useful to achieve something to improve our situation, but philosophical guidance to see the end is unrealistic in itself. MN

[@sircolt8184]

Huh. Always thought it's about how we as people can't see the world as it is because it is filtered through our minds. To leave the cave is impossible because it's human to experience through the human mind. Makes sense how you describe it. Also it makes sense that people become hostile if they feel they are forced to accept something. If it feels like you realise it yourself then you want it.

[@GreatBooksProf]

@@sircolt8184 Nicely put! Glad you liked the video.

[@MistahPaul]

The questions about who the people are that create the images and the ones standing by the fire: it's always interesting to me how they get perceived as "the media," etc, some abstract concept. It seems like they are simply versions of us, who can use fire and tools. The basics of civilization. So, again, us. And the prisoners have no problem with them, don't even know they exist. The freed prisoner attains an even greater level of power that these others seem to use, so in effect becomes greater than them. But as soon as the freed prisoner uses this truth that's more powerful than the puppeteers, that he's killed. Considering in the Republic, Socrates' labels democracy as the creator of tyranny, Plato may be allegorically showing what happens when you allow, for whatever reason, classes to mix. Especially considering his concept of an ideal city. He remarks several times his belief in the concept of a stationary class structure. Don't really agree with it either, but I do have to admit I am not studied in all of his works, so just an observation, not concrete evidence or anything.

[@seppo8128]

I’ve always seen the puppeteers as the ones who have gotten out and seen the world and have realized that they can’t just go say hey your wrong this is right… to the prisoners so they use the shadows as a way to soften the blow in a sense and then drag them out one by one. What if the prisoner who escapes had never seen a shadow of a dog and then sees a real dog? He can’t go back down and talk of a dog because non of them know what a dog is. It would pretty much be the equivalent of a language barrier without the shadows. Two people could see the same thing but would have no way of understanding eachother.

[@barefootedqueen710]

Hello from England

[@GreatBooksProf]

Thanks for watching!

[@mdhossin7501]

I think the lesson of Plato's cave we must share the knowledge with everyone

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Fat deal!!

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Wth cares what you think..ain't this bout Plato?? 🤪 🤪 😂🎉😂

[@Truther00]

Hello from mars

[@ShortyPie1994]

Hello from the blue dot, are you living under the ice?

[@LandesTaylor]

Me likey caves

[@Miguel_Gabriel_]

Hello helloooo!!! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️ Why do people kill the prophets?

[@kenroberts2055]

Don’t confuse education with enlightenment.

[@joshuajackson3344]

If it teaches you it’s both

[@Virus2.0-c5z]

there no such thing as enlightenment thats another way to trap u

[@warpo007]

Basically, Plato is saying: Do not cave-school. (Homeschool) Yes, i'm stoned. I also think he's trying to prove the ignorance of religion.

[@seppo8128]

I also always think about how when Plato says that “once the prisoner gets outside of the cave and is blinded by the sun.” How the sun and the real dog are no different than the fire and the statue dog. Caves within caves…

[@BeMinkedBeauty]

I don’t get the education aspect but more so applying it to real life.. how some of us are “woke” while others remain content and in darkness because they choose to remain blind

[@BeMinkedBeauty]

I would say the people projecting the Shadows would be the government or the 1% that actually run the world..

[@jberrocalucf]

What don’t you get about the education aspect?

[@sondarandolph2551]

Television😮

[@jasonbrophy5567]

After being educated I like my cave and my cave people friends. The shadows seem more real than the outside.

[@jberrocalucf]

It also goes all the way around . Not back to shadows but also back to the perfect world of ideas 💡 . The “real world “ is the transition. Your little shadow world is actually closer to perfection then one might think !

[@RobertWarman-i9l]

Mass phycosis 101

[@alexblake3818]

Try telling the truth and challenging people's established identity of themselves and the world😂