The allegory of the Cave in Plato’s Republic reminds me of a book; its name is Always Looking Up, written by Michael J. Fox. The book itself does not necessarily connect to what we will be discussing in this chapter, but the title explains somewhat of the allegory of the Cave. In the text, it states “there is a faculty residing in the soul of each person, enabling each of us to learn.” In short, it is human nature for people to learn. We are born with our heads looking up to what we can accomplish. On the road to intelligence, people will experience confusion and frustration. When this happens, we must not laugh at it because that is a process that we all will go through.

In regard to whether or not to educate, the text addresses the duty and responsibility in response to the objection raised by Glaucon. Most philosophers believe that they are not obligated to educate those younger because most philosophers are self-taught. However, for the good of the city, the author believes philosophers are forced to educate those with the best natures to the highest level possible, so that the city will be governed better.

            In addition, the text explains how the city spots and nurtures its ruler. To select those young men of twenty who receive higher honors is the first step. In order to be kept in the list, they have to do good “not only in study, but also in war and the other branches of discipline.” After that, they are tested to let go of their eyes and senses, so that they can approach themselves and truth. A good ruler is the one who masters dialectics. This is a cycle of life. From the very beginning we hose prisoners, chained in the cave, are unable to know the truth. One day, one of them gets a chance to be released. He sees the sunshine and learns the knowledge and truth. The greatest good is that the guardians of their State or the city will be like the enlightened prisoner re-descending into the darkness to educate and explain the truth, and then, the society develops and prospers.

By Steven