Philosophy & Perception
“The Allegory of the Cave” and The Matrix and Philosophy…
Pre-Seminar: To be completed on a separate sheet of paper
Define the following terms:
1. Philosophy
2. Allegory
3. Perception
Read “The Allegory of the Cave” and answer the following questions:
1. Describe how the people in the cave are situated. Why can’t they move their legs or necks to look around? What is the only thing they are capable of seeing? What is their only source of light?
2. Describe the liberated prisoner’s experience outside the cave.
3. What do the prisoners in the cave believe to be real?
4. Describe the prisoner’s reaction when they first see sunlight. Why do they react this way?
5. Explain the symbolism you see behind the following images:
a. The prisoners
b. The shadows
c. The light
d. The liberated prisoner
6. What does Plato’s allegory tell us about how we know things?
7. What does it tell us about what we see with our eyes?
8. How is it possible that people can believe in illusion and accept it as reality?
9. If a prisoner is released from the cave and compelled to look toward the light, what will he experience? Why?
10. Summarize the allegory as though you were explaining it to a friend. You should use everyday language to convey the story, its message, and your reaction to it.
After watching the clips from The Matrix and “The Matrix and the Cave” answer the following prompts.
1. What choice is Neo given by Morpheus regarding the red pill and blue pill?
2. What is the allegorical meaning of this scene?
3. To which character in “The Allegory of the Cave” can you best compare Neo? Explain.
4. To which character in “The Allegory of the Cave” can you best compare Morpheus? Explain.
5. If you were Neo, which pill would you choose? Explain your reasoning.
6. What is “Socratic wisdom?”
7. How does all of this relate to the paradox that “ignorance is bliss?” Is it? Explain.
Name ______Date ______
Allegory of the Cave Seminar
Alternate Assignment
Directions: Answer the following prompt in a focused, grammatically correct, organized essay. Be sure to
employ descriptive language, specific details from the texts, and a clear thesis!
Does the escaped prisoner have a responsibility to the others left behind in the cave? If yes, what should he do and why? If no, explain your reasoning. Also, think about the message of the allegory. Who are the escaped prisoners in our own society? What is their responsibility? Be detailed and use the text to support your answer!
Here’s an informal outline to help you organize your essay:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
· Thesis (what is it this essay is going to prove?)
· Transition to 1st body paragraph
Paragraphs 2-3 or 4: Body
· Support/prove your thesis by giving 1-2 specific examples from the text and/or real life
· Use a direct quote when you can
· Be sure to explain how your examples and/or quotes support the thesis!
Paragraph 4 or 5: Conclusion
· Tie it all up: tell the reader what all this means.
o Basically, your conclusion is there to show what you wanted to prove (restate thesis) and how you proved it in 3-5 sentences.