Without the proper teaching, they obviously believe what they see. There is no reasoning behind what they see because they have not garnered the correct knowledge to know what is actually real and what is fake. Socrates also explains that as soon as the chained person breaks free from their perceived reality, they begin to come up with their own ideas on what is fact and what is fiction. He says that at first, they will be blinded by the light due to living in a cave for their whole lives. This explains that they will have trouble conceiving certain ideas, but now that they are shown what else is out there to learn, their own take on knowledge is revealed to
Those who would disagree with the idea that the panopticon is an ethical form of punishment would argue that it is wrong to leave the prisoners alone. They would have a problem with the permanent solitary confinement. They would argue that the prisoners should be allowed to leave the cell every now and then. They would have a problem with the fact that the prisoners have no privacy because of the constant visibility. They would not like the fact that the prisoners are not allowed to socialize with anyone else because they do not have a chance to make any friends or even help pass the time by just hanging out with someone who is also in their position.
The actual cave represents the world we perceive, the world of experience (doxa). It acts as a barrier to the truth because our perceptions may be flawed. The prisoners trapped in the cave represent us. We are trapped in the physical world of illusion with our handcuffs being our flawed senses and experiences. The shadows represent our experiences/perceptions.
Corrective action is needed to repair the minds of humanity, who have long-lived in a world where continuity equals comfort. Although in the allegory, Plato’s hypothetical detainees are forced, society in its usual, redundant state is similar to the cave and its fixed position. Inside the cave, shadows represent the totality of the prisoner’s existence – it is impossible for them to imagine a reality which consists of anything other than the morphing shadows on the wall. Change can usually elicit fear and naturally humans may protest change. An option to retreat to the upper world would be feared by the cave dwelling people.
Maybe so, because of soma, where society has been enslaved into falsified happiness. The government did whatever they wanted to the society similar to the control in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” contrasting the way people perceived and believed in what is reality. The ideas in Brave New World and “Allegory of the Cave” clearly depict how the people are entrapped in falsified realities in which they perceive a happiness in which they would not be satisfied with, if they had the freedom of knowledge and choice. There is no real idea, oblivious of what reality is. In the allegory the humans are restraint simply by chains and it leads to the overall ignorance and falsified satisfaction.
Isolation, as defined by Macmillan Dictionary, is “the state of being separated from other people, or a situation in which you do not have the support of other people” (www.macmillandictionary.com). In Plato’s allegory, the prisoners are isolated in the cave and refuse to leave and face reality. They are convinced that the shadows and their world within the cave is what’s real and are afraid of what else is out there in the world. One can certainly relate to this feeling of isolation and Plato was trying to show us how a human being can feel alone and prefer to stay in the unknown rather than going out and facing what is really happening. In Faulkner’s story, Emily is completely isolated within her home.
Naturally, when the people walked across with their various artefacts the prisoners would only see their shadows and if a traveller was to talk, they would logically assume that the sound or voice had come from the shadow. The shadows represent the perceptions of non- philosophers in the world and the cave represent those who think that knowledge comes from what we see and hear in the world. The next part of the analogy is to ask what would happen if a prisoner was set free from their chains and would finally have the ability to turn their head around and see things as they really are. The prisoner would struggle greatly to take in this new environment and would undoubtedly be blinded by the light of the fire. The prisoner would then be dragged out of the cave against his will and have the sunlight forced upon him .He would find the sunlight painful and would not be able to take anything in until he adjusted to the light.
2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. http://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/cave.htm). In Plato’s Allegory, three prisoners are chained and forced to view a wall which shows shadows from the outside world. The shadows create a false image of reality, causing the prisoners to have a distorted perception of life.
The prisoners in this case represent the ignorant unenlightened individuals yet to discover philosophical truth. They are tricked into believing that the shadows they see are the real objects in themselves or that the sounds the people make are being projected by the shadows. Plato argues that the shadows and games played are equivalent to the five senses deceiving the individual. He believes that the objects we see in the physical world are pale
The lack of truth leads them to make up stories and believe that Boo Radley really is a “phantom.” Atticus is one of the only reliable sources available to Scout and Jem regarding Boo Radley. He has the discernment and knowledge that the children lack, and he hopes to show them a new perspective. The contrast of the childrens’ judgment and his acceptance adds a dynamic element to fear. Boo Radley being normal is so far an idea from what the children know they refuse to believe it. They are scarred to believe it.