Question #1
The three synopses of Plato’s cave analogy, The Matrix and Descartes’ Meditation on First Philosophy, they all present various similarities. A core common ground for them is the question of whether the reality experienced through one’s senses is real or an illusion (Falzon, 2014). As per the movie, The Matrix, the director asserts one’s brain is receiving instructions from a computer simulation. On the other hand, The Republic visualized objects as shadows. Descartes explanation centers around life lie hence raises the question of what reality is. In both Plato’s and The Matrix’s synopsis, Plato's prisoner escapes while Neo helped by Morpheus also escapes the illusion.
The cave allegory is a perception of the current state seen in society. The advent of celebrities in society limited young girls thinking, resulting in most emulating actions without considering existing consequences. What one perceives as real life depends on how media sources define life; hence people are willing to live a lie to adjust or look like others. A simple example is the posting on social media, where, even posting a single cup of coffee comes with a package of car keys, an iPhone and a MacBook in the background to symbolize prestige. Both parents and the children’s perception of life is a lie which is synonymous to living in the republic. Sadly, the cave allegory will always exist in society, and with time, it will get worse because the older generation is doing nothing to educate the younger generation on the essence of understanding their personality. Socialization is at the center of what passes as right or wrong hence, failure to teach leaves the children with an opportunity to make their own decisions, which in most cases ends up disastrous (Falzon, 2014). Although all the synopsis questioned the essence of reality, they failed to the replace sensory reality that exists between alternatives presented between the senses. Descartes hope was that, greater enlightenment existed and that he would get there someday.
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Question #2
I believe that we can never prove we are under some trick promoting false reality. While governments, police force and some underhanded people are resistant to talking about the possibility of mind control, theories are possible, however, prove a different matter. The three synopses conclude with the theme, “Ignorance of Bliss,” where people are better off not knowing some things (Falzon, 2014). As presented above, socialization shapes an individual’s beings. As such, I believe it is wrong to assert the society’s way of thinking upon a child without allowing them to the benefit of having a wild imagination. As children, their thoughts are childish, however, as they grow, their perception of the world changes resulting in a better understanding and approval of what life should be like. One way of living in care is lacking a sense of direction and depending on others for guidance. Failure to recognize that some things are shadows and not real objects could help most people on social media identify and alter their understanding of the world.
The allegory of the cave presents itself if the person no longer views the real object, instead, perceives the shadows as real, a fit that gives itself in how society behaves. While teaching the children to have their imagination is right, they must learn that keeping a sense of reality with them is a perfect way of staying sane (Falzon, 2014). So, we cannot know whether we are dreaming or not; however, we can make the most out of the present situation by being thorough in our living. Based on the existing moral standards, what is right or wrong depends on who the teachers were, hence, the best one can do is to make decisions based on their judgments and beliefs, without worrying what the outside world may think, after all, everyone has their life to live.
Reference
Falzon, C. (2014). Philosophy goes to the movies: An introduction to philosophy . Routledge. Retrieved from; https://bit.ly/2JT6hu6 .
