Allegory of the Cave

From The Republic by Plato
The cave illustrates education as the soul's turning from shadows to truth, and the philosopher's return to govern those still in ignorance.
Book VII, 514a-517a

The allegory proper: prisoners, shadows, ascent out of the cave, and vision of the sun.

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Book VII, 518c-d

Education as the turning around (periagoge) of the soul, not implanting sight.

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Book VII, 519d-520d

The philosopher's compulsion to return to the cave to rule.

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