Allegory of the Cave**

1. According to Socrates, what does the Allegory of the Cave represent?
The allegory of the cave represents that we only see what we are allowed to see. It doesn't allow

2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?
Key elements of imagery used in the allegory are the cave, shackles, the shadows, the fire. This elements set the beginning, how the prisoners seen things inside the cave, why they could only see it, and it sets a strange and somewhat gloomy. The sun is also another key element.

3. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?
Like before, we only see what we are allowed to see. Its like we take whatever information we get without questioning it, and people are often afraid to seek out answers themselves. As if I told you the sky is green, and you just agree. Once the prisoner is free he is able to receive his own answers.

4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?  The shackles and cave suggest that they live under a rock, unaware of the outside would and oblivious to it due to being bound to inside the cave.

5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
In my own life, I shackle my own thoughts. I refuse to let myself speak out of I conclude that it isn't worth saying, it isn't important or if I believe its a "duh" sort of comment. I expect myself to be the best I can be, I hold myself back from my own potential to participate within class.

6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
Once you taste the freedom, you cannot go back. The perspective of the freed prisoner was like he finally seen day after years of night and he was stunned that the cave dweller wouldn't partake in the experience and freedom as well.

*7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?

8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom? They get free from leaving behind the cave, that doesn't allow them to be free.  This suggests that intellectual freedom allows you to express the unknown, and question the questionable, lets you be different and creative.

9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not? I think there is a huge difference between reality and appearance. Just as in hamlet, he appeared to be mad and insane to everybody else in the play but the reality was he was just able to put up different fronts to execute what he needed to be done, or elicit a specific emotion.

10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
What you see is real, like the phrase seeing is believing .