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'The Allegory of the Cave' continues

Published: 21 Mar. 2025, 00:04

Chun Young-paik

The author is a professor of art history and visual philosophy at Hongik University.

Seeing is linked to understanding. In English, the phrase “I see” means not only “I perceive with my eyes” but also “I understand.” This is why art is closely related to philosophy. One of the earliest texts to explore the connection between vision and philosophy is Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave." Found in Book VII of “The Republic,” this philosophical allegory, influenced by Socrates, presents Plato’s insights into perception, knowledge and enlightenment.

According to Plato, we are like prisoners chained inside a dark cave from birth, forced to stare only at the cave wall. Behind us, a fire burns, and between the fire and us, unseen figures carry various objects. The fire casts shadows of these objects onto the cave wall, and since we can only see the flickering shadows, we mistake them for reality.

Then, one prisoner is freed and steps outside the cave, where he encounters the blinding brilliance of the sun. He eventually realizes that the sun — the ultimate Good — is the true source of all existence and knowledge. Upon returning to the cave to share this revelation, he is met with ridicule, hostility and even attempts on his life by those who refuse to believe in a reality beyond the shadows.

The allegory of the cave presents Plato’s insights into perception, knowledge, and enlightenment.

In this allegory, the cave wall represents the realm of sensory perception, while the sunlit world outside symbolizes the domain of absolute truth. Shadows are mere appearances, and the sun embodies the Idea — the ultimate reality. The freed prisoner, as the title “The Republic” suggests, symbolizes the ideal leader of a just society. More than a ruler, he is a philosopher who sees beyond appearances and grasps the essence of reality — the so-called philosopher-king. Through this allegory, Plato argues that the sensory world is deceptive and that true knowledge can only be attained through rational thought and philosophical inquiry.

Over time, "The Allegory of the Cave" has been reinterpreted in various ways. Among these, Kaja Silverman’s perspective, influenced by Martin Heidegger, stands out. She challenges the classical philosophical tradition of rigidly separating “appearance” from “being,” aligning with Heidegger’s view that the two are intrinsically connected. Heidegger refutes Plato’s notion that appearances are mere inaccurate reflections of reality; instead, he asserts that appearances are how being reveals itself. While the world of appearances may obscure reality, he argues that if we strive to perceive the hidden essence behind phenomena, true being can be unveiled.

Here, “seeing” refers not only to physical sight but also to intellectual perception. By truly “seeing,” we bring things into the light. The World Spectator — one who possesses the ability to perceive reality beyond illusions — is capable of discerning fundamental truths even from within the confines of the cave. However, Silverman emphasizes that this ability to perceive the world correctly requires extensive time and rigorous training. Therefore, someone must first escape the cave’s illusions, confront the true nature of reality, and return to enlighten the community with a vision for the future.

History has consistently demonstrated the need for such enlightened and courageous leaders — not only in Plato’s time but in every era. The question, however, is whether the people trapped inside the cave can develop the discernment to listen to the leader who brings the truth from outside. Will they persecute the one who seeks to illuminate them, or will they embrace the unsettling revelations? The fate of a society depends on its people's ability to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Today, the need for intellectual discernment is greater than ever. Liberal democracy presupposes that citizens possess such discernment, whereas totalitarianism assumes the masses remain ignorant and easily manipulated. Even if all we see are shadows flickering on the cave wall, a mature citizenry must have the wisdom to trust leaders who grasp reality and perceive the truth hidden beneath appearances. Only through true “seeing” can we illuminate the world shrouded in darkness, allowing even the deepest recesses of the cave to glimpse the radiant world of Ideas.

Thus, we must not be deceived by the illusions cast before our eyes. The world grows darker, and falsehoods spread ever more aggressively. This is why we need the discerning eyes of World Spectators — those who can unveil the hidden essence of reality and bring truth into the light.

Translated using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.