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Canute
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Does anyone know of other good, simple or well known metaphors for our relationship to reality besides Plato's allegory of the cave?
I'm not good at clear explanations, Hynogogue would do it better, but I'll have a go.Originally posted by Mentat
I don't really understand the original question, Canute? Clarify, please: what does "our relationship with reality" mean? Aren't we real? [/B]
Originally posted by Canute
That isn't quite right. Philsophers do not conclude that there is a reality beyond appearances just because they have an intuition or feeling. They also know it has to be there for purely logical reasons.
Originally posted by Canute
Does anyone know of other good, simple or well known metaphors for our relationship to reality besides Plato's allegory of the cave?
I suppose you're right. In a back to front sort of way it's true that our own minds are metaphors for Plato's cave. That's what he was trying to say.Originally posted by Thallium
I suggest.. Your own mind..
We assume a common sense as the necessary condition of the universal communicability of our knowledge, which is presupposed in every logic and every principle of knowledge that is not one of skepticism.
ATTRIBUTION: Immanuel Kant (1724–1804
Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" is a famous metaphor used to explain the concept of reality and the pursuit of knowledge. In the allegory, prisoners are chained in a cave and can only see shadows on the wall, which they believe to be reality. However, when one of the prisoners is freed and sees the outside world, he realizes that the shadows were just a poor representation of reality. This allegory is meant to illustrate the idea that our perceptions of reality may be limited and there may be a higher truth that we are not aware of.
The "Allegory of the Cave" is still relevant in modern society as it highlights the importance of critical thinking and questioning our perceptions of reality. In a world where we are bombarded with information and often take things at face value, this allegory reminds us to question and seek the truth behind what we see and hear.
The "Allegory of the Cave" can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of enlightenment. In the allegory, the prisoner who is freed represents the enlightened individual who has transcended their limited perceptions of reality and has gained a deeper understanding of the world. This journey of enlightenment is one of self-discovery and breaking free from societal norms and expectations.
Aside from the "Allegory of the Cave," other common metaphors used to describe reality include Descartes' "Evil Demon" and the Buddhist concept of "Maya," which refers to the illusory nature of the material world.
The "Allegory of the Cave" teaches us to question our perceptions and seek a deeper understanding of reality. In our daily lives, we can apply this by being open-minded, questioning information that is presented to us, and striving to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world around us. This can help us make more informed decisions and lead to personal growth and enlightenment.