Theory Of Dimensions Essay Research Paper PhilosophyDavid

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Theory Of Dimensions Essay, Research Paper Philosophy David Doriot December 8,2000 The theory of Dimensions In Plato?s? The Allegory of the Cave, allows a person to realize that which they already know. The situation in the cave is dark and gloomy, a place no one would ever want to go. However, the reality is that some people are at a point in their lives where that is where they are, in their own self-made ?cave?. The people that are in Plato?s? cave, the prisoners, have always been there. Their legs and necks are chained and they cannot move. They cannot even turn their necks or bodies to look around them. The cave is very dark, but there is a fire burning in the distance behind them. There is a wall in front of them and there are men, who are frequently carrying tools and

various other objects behind them. This creates different shaped shadows on the wall for the prisoners to view. All that they have seen or ever known is what is in front of them, a two-dimensional world. A two-dimensional world would represent people that only saw what was in front of them. Plato said to Glaucon, ? To them, I said, the truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images.? One cannot fathom living in such a state where everything is so intangible. Some people today, like the prisoners know nothing but what is in front of them. They have a warped perception of reality. If a person only sees and accepts what is in front of them, they too are living in a two-dimensional world. The shadows, to the prisoners are reality because it is all that they have ever

known. They don?t know that what they see is distorted; only a reflection of what is real. One example that Plato might use if he were alive today would be sitting in a movie theater. The projector would be the fire. The movie showing would be the shadows reflected on the wall. The viewers are the prisoners. The shadows on the wall can be compared to movies because they are not reality, but a twisted representation of it. If the viewer (prisoner) chooses to accept what is in front of them as reality, then they are in a sense, choosing to live in a two-dimensional world. A person would have to believe that there is more to life than what is in front of them in order to change their situation and move into a three-dimensional world. In a three-dimensional world people are able to

interact with one another and use their senses. One would accept and be able to understand a new reality. For example, if Plato?s? prisoners were released, they would naturally turn around and look behind them, or walk towards the fire, it is simply human nature. Even though their natural curiosity would cause them to look around them and explore what they have not known, their new reality would be hard for them to accept. Naturally, the prisoners would be frightened and hesitant, but in order for them to move into the new world, they would have to confront their fears and escape from the cave to find a new truth. Once they seek the knowledge and good things in life that make a person happy, they will be living in a three-dimensional world. Plato thought, ?My opinion is that in

the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right.? In order for one to live in a three dimensional world, they could not sit back and choose to accept what is in front of them as reality. A person that lives in a two-dimensional world is not truly happy. They have not sought out knowledge or searched for true happiness. For the prisoners trapped in the cave to not ever dream or imagine other realities is showing that they accept where they are in life. For a person to live in a three dimensional world, one must search for better things in life and simple pleasures and break free from their two-dimensional world. Having the knowledge of a