Republic

”After these things, then,” I said, “liken our nature in respect of education and the lack of it to such an experience as this. For image human beings living in an underground cave-like dwelling, which has an entrance open to the light, stretching along the entire width of the cave; in this they have been from childhood with fetters on both their legs and necks, so that they remain in the same place and look only forward, unable to turn their heads around because of the fetters. And behind them, from higher up and far away, the light of a fire is burning; and between the fire and the prisoners there is a road above, along which image a low wall built, just like the screens that puppeteers have set up in front of people, over which they show their puppets.” “I see it,” he said. “See then, along this low wall, people carrying all kinds of vessels that project above the wall, and statues and other animals made of stone, wood, and every kind of material, with some of the carriers, as you would expect, speaking and others keeping silent.”

”You describe a strange image,” he said, “and strange prisoners.” “They are like us,” I said; “for first of all, do you think such people would have seen anything of themselves and of one another other than the shadows cast by the fire onto the wall of the cave directly opposite them?” “For how could they,” he said, “if they were forced to keep their heads motionless throughout life?” “And what about the things being carried? Isn’t it the same for them?” “Of course.” “If, then, they were able to converse with one another, don’t you think they would hold that the things they saw were the real things?” “Necessarily.” “And what if the prison also had an echo from the wall opposite them? Whenever one of the passersby spoke, do you think they would believe anything other than the passing shadow was making the sound?” “By Zeus, I do not,” he said. ”In every way, then,” I said, “such people would hold that the truth is nothing other than the shadows of the manufactured objects.” “Most necessarily,” he said. “Now consider,” I said, “what their release and healing from their bonds and folly would be like, if something like this should naturally happen to them. Whenever one was released and suddenly forced to stand up, turn his neck around, walk, and look up toward the light, and in doing all these things felt pain and, because of the flashing light, was unable to see those things of which he previously saw the shadows, what do you think he would say, if someone were to tell him that what he saw before was nonsense, but that now, being somewhat closer to what is and turned toward things that are more, he sees more correctly, and, pointing to each of the passing objects, forced him to answer by asking what it is? Do you not think he would be at a loss and believe that what he saw before was truer than what is being shown to him now?” “Much truer,” he said. “And if he were forced to look at the light itself, would he not have pain in his eyes and escape by turning back to those things which he is able to see, holding these to be really clearer than the things being shown?” “Quite so,” he said.