Prof. Miller| ENG 1101 - OL62 | Fall 2020

“Micro-Activity # 4: Allegory of the Cave

When I read the seventh volume of Plato’s “Republic” “Allegory of the Cave,” I realized that they are students and teachers; the difference is how long it takes to leave the cave. One of the prisoners got rid of these restraints in some way. At this time, he is a student. Then he was forced to turn around to look at the fire, which represented enlightenment. He/she recognizes his ignorance. The light of the fire pierced his eyes and made him immediately want to look back. Shows that the prisoner does not wish to progress with how he sees things and his understanding of reality, which is a painful process. he represents a different state of knowledge. It takes time to change the truth’s understanding and experience, and this prisoner must deny his previous views on things. It takes time to change the understanding and understanding of the truth, and the person must restrict their earlier statements on things. The prisoner left the cave; he saw the world and the reality of everything. And feel sorry for the prisoners still trapped in the cave. Therefore, he returned to the shelter and tried to tell the other prisoners the truth about reality. This prisoner represents the teacher, and the other prisoners here are students.

Education involves seeing the truth. Education is also for development, to be able to understand more about the surroundings and master the methods of understanding. The is the purpose of education. On the issue of learning new things, if people do not want to learn real things, then they cannot be forced to learn. Similarly, students themselves must have the desire to learn, perseverance, and initiative. Otherwise, no one can take education seriously.

1 Comment

  1. Prof. Suzanne Miller

    Hanting,

    This is a really insightful reflection. You have thought deeply about the allegory and how it applies to the connection between being the “student” and being the “teacher and to education in general.

    I particularly like the passage where you say:

    “…the light of the fire pierced his eyes and made him immediately want to look back. Shows that the prisoner does not wish to progress with how he sees things and his understanding of reality, which is a painful process. He represents a different state of knowledge. It takes time to change the truth’s understanding and experience, and this prisoner must deny his previous views on things.”

    Your attention to this idea that learning (or changing our views on things) is, I think, at the heart of what Plato is telling us.

    Nice work.

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