Class: Philosophy

Date Due:

The Question:

How can a philosophical concept be applied?

 

The Challenge

Apply "The Allegory of the Cave" to an issue, scenario or event in contemporary life, in history or that could easily happen in the near future. You may choose to apply the allegory in a personal experience or as a historical event. In any case, it is important in an allegory that each point in the concrete story be matched with a logical point in the abstraction. Be careful to think the issue through  to match the cave, the fire,  the shadows, the chains, the naming of objects, the objects being carried, the guide to the surface and the refusal of those who remain captives of the shadows to see the new reality. Match as many of these and more for quality.

 

The cave (prison house)  = 

the fire   =  

shadows on the cave wall  =

chains on the prisoners  =

the prisoners  =

the guards  =

the vessels and statues the guards carried =

the prisoner blinded by the fire =

the prisoner blinded by the sun =

the struggle to get to the cave exit =

the exit to the cave =

the necessity of first looking out of the cave at night =

the pain of seeing the sun =

the brilliance of colors in the full sun =

the return to the cave =

the rejection of the returning prisoner =

the world outside the cave =

the sun =

 

 

Minimum Standards

The application of the allegory matches a plethora of details from the allegory.

The application is on time.

The application is written.

The application is realistic, honest and appropriate.