The cave dweller, upon exiting the cave, is blinded and is only able to come to see the true world slowly, just as humans are only able to slowly become enlightened after the first painful break from their ignorance. Once this former-prisoner is able to begin to see in the true light of the sun, he sees “shadows…, images… and other things in water” (68) before he can see these objects for what they really are. Though this would seem on the surface to be the same situation this prisoner left behind in the cave, it is not, for now, they are able to see reflections and shadows through pure sunlight, rather than by firelight. Eventually, as the prisoner’s eyes adjust, they are able to see real objects. This is representative of seeing the true forms of things through understanding, the highest form of cognition of Plato’s line. Yet, there is still something above understanding, and that is the
The cave dweller, upon exiting the cave, is blinded and is only able to come to see the true world slowly, just as humans are only able to slowly become enlightened after the first painful break from their ignorance. Once this former-prisoner is able to begin to see in the true light of the sun, he sees “shadows…, images… and other things in water” (68) before he can see these objects for what they really are. Though this would seem on the surface to be the same situation this prisoner left behind in the cave, it is not, for now, they are able to see reflections and shadows through pure sunlight, rather than by firelight. Eventually, as the prisoner’s eyes adjust, they are able to see real objects. This is representative of seeing the true forms of things through understanding, the highest form of cognition of Plato’s line. Yet, there is still something above understanding, and that is the