The Allegory of the Cave

[00:00:02](Socrates) [00:00:04]regarding human nature, [00:00:08]and the lack of education [00:00:13]Imagine: [00:00:14]human beings

[00:00:20]with an entrance [00:00:23]which is both open to the light [00:00:27]Now they've been there since childhood, [00:00:32]with their necks and their legs fettered, [00:00:37]Because their bonds prevent them

[00:00:42]Now, light is provided by a fire [00:00:44]burning far above and behind them, [00:00:48]but, you know, on higher ground, [00:00:55]Now, imagine that along this path, [00:00:58]A low wall has been built -- You know, like the

[00:01:01]like the screen in front of puppeteers [00:01:05](Glaucon) [00:01:08](Socrates) Then also, imagine that there are people, [00:01:13]carrying all kinds of artifacts [00:01:17]statues of people and other animals

[00:01:23]And as you'd expect, you know, [00:01:27]and some of them are silent [00:01:30](Glaucon) This is a strange image you're describing, Socrates, [00:01:37](Socrates) [00:01:38]Do you suppose,

[00:01:41]see anything of themselves [00:01:46]that the fire casts [00:01:49](Glaucon) [00:01:53]since they have to keep their heads [00:01:56](Socrates)

[00:01:59]Isn't the same thing true of them? [00:02:01](Glaucon) [00:02:02](Socrates) And if they could talk to one another, [00:02:06]CREATE names for the things that they see [00:02:09](Glaucon)

[00:02:12](Socrates) And what if their prison also had an echo [00:02:16]Do you think that they believe [00:02:21]We're talking [00:02:24]the wall was also talking? [00:02:26](Glaucon)

[00:02:28]Then the prisoners would in every way [00:02:32]that the truth is nothing [00:02:36]of those artifacts. [00:02:38](Glaucon) [00:02:40](Socrates)

[00:02:41]Consider, then: [00:02:43]What would it look like if those prisoners [00:02:47]were released from their bonds [00:02:51]and cured of their ignorance? [00:02:55]Imagine that something like this happened:

[00:02:57]Suppose that one of them was freed [00:03:02]turn his head, walk and look up toward [00:03:07]He'd be in pain [00:03:11]unable to see the things [00:03:15]What do you think he'd say

[00:03:17]if we told him that what he'd seen before [00:03:21]But now, [00:03:22]because he's a bit closer to the things that ARE [00:03:30]now he sees more correctly. [00:03:33]Or to put it in another way.

[00:03:35]If we pointed to each of the things [00:03:39]what each of them is [00:03:42]don't you think he'd be at a loss [00:03:46]the things that he saw earlier were TRUER [00:03:51](Glaucon)

[00:03:53](Socrates) And if someone compelled him [00:03:57]wouldn't his eyes hurt? [00:04:01]towards the things that he's able to see, [00:04:08]than the ones that he's being shown now? [00:04:10](Glaucon)

[00:04:12]And if someone dragged him away from there [00:04:16]up the rough, steep path [00:04:19]until they dragged him into the sunlight, [00:04:26]And [00:04:29]with the SUN

[00:04:31]wouldn't he be unable to see [00:04:36]now said to be true? [00:04:38](Glaucon) He would be UNABLE to see them, [00:04:43](Socrates) [00:04:44]that he did time to get adjusted before

[00:04:49]At first he'd see the SHADOWS [00:04:52]Then IMAGES [00:04:56]Then THE THINGS THEMSELVES. [00:05:03]And the sky itself! [00:05:06]Looking at the LIGHT

[00:05:09]than during the day, [00:05:16](Glaucon) [00:05:18](Socrates) Finally, I suppose, [00:05:22]not the images of it in water or [00:05:27]In its own place and be able to study it

[00:05:31](Glaucon) [00:05:33](Socrates) [00:05:35]he would infer and conclude [00:05:39]and the years and governs [00:05:43]That is in some way

[00:05:47]even the things that he used to see! [00:05:50](Glaucon) [00:05:53]What about when he reminds himself [00:05:57]his fellow prisoners, [00:06:01]Don't you think that he count himself

[00:06:07](Glaucon) [00:06:10](Socrates) And, if there had been any [00:06:14]among them for the one who was sharpest [00:06:19]and who best remembered [00:06:22]and which SHADOWS came later,

[00:06:27]and who could [00:06:31]Do you think that our man would DESIRE [00:06:35]or ENVY those among the prisoners [00:06:40]Instead... Wouldn't he FEEL (pathos), [00:06:47]as a servant to another,

[00:06:51]and to go through any sufferings [00:06:53]rather than share their OPINION [00:06:57](Glaucon) [00:07:01](Socrates) [00:07:02]If this man went down into the cave again

[00:07:09]wouldn't his eyes -- [00:07:12]be filled with darkness? [00:07:15](Glaucon) [00:07:17](Socrates) [00:07:19]and the adjustment would not be quick,

[00:07:24]If he had to compete again [00:07:26]at recognizing the shadows, [00:07:30]Wouldn't it be said of him [00:07:32]that he'd return from his upward journey [00:07:36]And that it isn’t worthwhile

[00:07:40]And as for anyone who tried to free them [00:07:46]if they could somehow get their hands on him, [00:07:52](Glaucon) [00:07:55](Socrates) this whole image, Glaucon, [00:07:59]The visible realm should be likened to the prison dwelling

[00:08:06]And if you interpret the upward journey [00:08:11]as the Upward Journey of the “Little Soul” [00:08:14]then you'll grasp what I hope to convey, [00:08:20]whether it's true or not. [00:08:21]Only the God knows,

[00:08:24]In the knowable realm, [00:08:28]is the last to be seen; [00:08:33]Once one has seen it, however, [00:08:37]it is THE CAUSE of all [00:08:42](and) that it produces both LIGHT

[00:08:47]and that in the intelligible realm [00:08:53]so that anyone who is to act sensibly [00:08:58](Glaucon) Yeah, I have the same thought... [00:09:04](Socrates) Come, then, [00:09:07]Also It isn't surprising

[00:09:10]this point are unwilling [00:09:15]and that their souls are always pressing upwards, [00:09:21]For, after all, this is surely what we'd expect [00:09:27](Glaucon) [00:09:28](Socrates)

[00:09:31]from divine contemplation [00:09:35]Do you think it's surprising [00:09:39]and he hasn't yet become accustomed [00:09:43]that he behaves awkwardly [00:09:50]if he is compelled, either in the courts

[00:09:53]to contend about the shadows of justice [00:09:58]and to dispute about the way that things are understood [00:10:05](Glaucon) [00:10:08](Socrates) [00:10:09]But anyone with any understanding

[00:10:12]that the eyes may be confused in TWO ways, [00:10:19]namely, (1) when they've come from the LIGHT [00:10:25]and (2) when they've come from the DARKNESS [00:10:31]realizing that the same applies to the SOUL... [00:10:38]and unable to see something,

[00:10:44]but they'll consider [00:10:47]and isn't accustomed to the dark yet, or [00:10:51]and to greater light, and is dazzled [00:10:55]Then they'll declare the first soul [00:10:57]happy and its experience and its life,

[00:11:02]But even if they choose [00:11:04]they'll be less worthy of ridicule [00:11:09]that has come from the light above [00:11:12](Glaucon) [00:11:16](Socrates)

[00:11:17]then here's what we must think [00:11:20]that EDUCATION is NOT [00:11:26]putting knowledge into souls that lack it, [00:11:32](Glaucon) [00:11:34]but our present discussion,

[00:11:37]shows that the power to learn [00:11:43]And that the instrument [00:11:47]is like an eye that cannot be [00:11:52]without turning the whole body. [00:11:56]This instrument cannot be TURNED AROUND

[00:12:02]without turning the WHOLE SOUL... [00:12:05]... until it is able to study that which IS [00:12:11]Namely, the one that we call [00:12:14](Glaucon) [00:12:15](Socrates) Then, education is the craft (art)

[00:12:20]this TURNING AROUND [00:12:22]and with how the soul can most easily [00:12:27]Education is NOT the craft [00:12:31]Education takes for granted [00:12:35]but that it isn't turned the right way

[00:12:41]and it tries to redirect it appropriately. [00:12:45](Glaucon) [00:12:47](Socrates) Now, it looks as though [00:12:52]are akin to those of the body [00:12:57]but are added later by habit and practice.

[00:13:01]However, the “skill” of REASON seems to belong [00:13:07]which never loses its POWER [00:13:09]is either useful and BENEFICIAL [00:13:15]depending on the way it is TURNED [00:13:18]Have you ever noticed this about people

[00:13:22]How keen the vision [00:13:26]and how sharply it distinguishes [00:13:31]This shows that “sight” isn't inferior [00:13:35]but rather is forcibly enlisted [00:13:40]so that the sharper it is,

[00:13:44](Glaucon) [Hmmm. Smart, powerful people [00:13:51]Yeah, I've seen that once or twice. [00:13:54](Socrates) [00:13:56]has been chiseled out from childhood [00:13:59]and freed from the bonds of birth

[00:14:04]the soul through feasting and greed [00:14:08]and which, like leaden weights, [00:14:13]If, being rid of these, [00:14:18]Then, I say... [00:14:22]would see these most sharply,

[00:14:26]the things it is presently turned towards [00:14:30](Glaucon) [00:14:31](Socrates) [00:14:34]who have no experience of truth? [00:14:37]Isn't it likely? Indeed...

[00:14:39]Doesn't it follow necessarily from what was said before [00:14:48]But neither would those who've been allowed [00:14:54]the uneducated would fail [00:14:58]a single goal or PURPOSE at which all their actions, [00:15:02]public and private,

[00:15:04]inevitably aim. [00:15:05]But the educated would fail because they’d [00:15:11]thinking that they had settled [00:15:14]in the far away [00:15:17](Glaucon)

[00:15:19](Socrates) [00:15:23]to compel the best folks [00:15:29]Since we previously said [00:15:33]But when they've made it [00:15:36]We mustn't allow them to do

[00:15:41](Glaucon) [00:15:42](Socrates) [00:15:45]and refuse to go down again [00:15:50]and to share in their labors and honors [00:15:58](Glaucon) Well, but, don’t we do those teachers and injustice

[00:16:08](Socrates) You are forgetting again [00:16:10]It isn’t the Law’s concern to make any one class [00:16:17]but to contrive to spread happiness [00:16:21]by bringing the citizens into harmony [00:16:26]Through persuasion or compulsion,

[00:16:31]the unique benefits that each individual [00:16:38]The law produces such people in the city, [00:16:42]to allow them to turn in [00:16:46]but to make use of them [00:16:51](Glaucon)

[00:16:54](Socrates) [00:16:56]We won't be doing an injustice to those [00:17:01]and that what we'll say to them [00:17:04]when we compel them to GUARD [00:17:09]We’ll say:

[00:17:12]“When people like [00:17:15]they're justified in [00:17:19]where they've grown spontaneously [00:17:24]and what grows of its own accord and [00:17:29]has Justice on it’s side when it isn't keen

[00:17:35]BUT - We’ve made YOU kings in our city [00:17:43]both for yourselves AND for the rest of the city, [00:17:46]you are better and more completely [00:17:51]and are better able [00:17:54]Therefore, each of YOU in turn

[00:18:01]in the common dwelling-place of the others, [00:18:07]When you are used to it, you'll see vastly [00:18:11]And because you've SEEN the TRUTH [00:18:15]then you'll know each image for what it is [00:18:21]Therefore, for you and for us,

[00:18:24]our city will be governed NOT [00:18:29]by people who fight over shadows and [00:18:35]as if ruling were a great good! [00:18:38]But by people who are AWAKE, rather than dreaming [00:18:45]A city who’s prospective rulers are LEAST eager to rule

[00:18:55]Whereas a city with the opposite kind of rulers [00:19:02](Glaucon)