The disclosure of the State’s nature, rules and guardians is considered to be centralized in Plato’s theory reflected in the work Republic. It is necessary to underline the fact that the thinker strived to clarify common features of his Divided Line and the allegory of the Cave; the analysis of his philosophy gives an opportunity to realize and investigate Plato’s vision of the path experienced by human beings on their way to knowledge and truth realization; the thinker managed to underline the unity of Divided Line and the allegory of the Cave on the basis of ‘education place’ reflected through the Good perception.
In accordance with Plato’s divided line, the world consists of two parts, intellectual and the one of visible objects. The Good is considered to be at the top of everything; it illuminates and sustains the res. Plato’s tried to demonstrate the idea that the objects’ forms help human beings to obtain ideal understanding, intelligence and knowledge. The lowest level is based on reason and thought reflected through axioms; this aspect is presented on the basis of various mathematical principles. So, Plato’s idea was to show that seeing the objects is followed by information perception about these objects, leading to the formation of certain beliefs on the basis of sound, sights, etc. As a result formed beliefs get people from one place to another being supported by axiomatic thought and reasoning. Plato’s stated that one more element was concentrated on imagination presented through reflections and dreams, and stimulating our creativity.
The theory of divided line is closely connected with Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, through which the thinker managed to underline the fact, that humans cross the line from ignorance cave, to reach the steep path leading to the light, allowing us seeing the shadows of the objects, and the objects themselves. One addresses the top, that is the Good, reasoning about it and making certain conclusions, resulting in realization that the Good is the true cause of everything in the world.
‘When we turn our eyes to things whose colors are no longer
in the light of day but in the gloom of night, the eyes are dimmed
and seem nearly blind, as if clear vision were no longer in them,
yet when one turns them on things illuminated by the sun, they see
clearly and vision appears in those same eyes.” (Plato, VI, 508)
The person trying to avoid the cave limitations, is on the way to true reality realization, being able gasping the forms. Plato stated that visible objects were only shadows of the truth; it is necessary to stress that the philosopher’s theory is based on the principles of getting knowledge about the objects on the basis of personal learning focus. The analogy of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and Divided Line can be characterized by realities and shadows of education. (Plato, VII, 518)
In accordance with Plato’s beliefs, the invisible truths really exist and are covered by things which can grasp. It is necessary to stress that the divided line can be interpreted as the descending path from beliefs to imagination.
The Good allows your mind to see the forms
just as the light of sun allows you to see things. (Plato, VII, 518)
Plato strived to demonstrate the idea that education is the central element in turning human soul towards the Good contemplation, rather then producing a soul vision on the objects.
Divided Line and the allegory of the Cave appeared to be related through the education aspect and its elements on the soul way to truth realization. It is necessary to stress that Plato’s basic position appeared to be based on the Good centralization being the cause and the reason for everything in the world.
References
Plato. The Republic. Translated by Jowett, B. Oxford University Press. Web.