Term Paper on "Plato Descartes"

Term Paper 5 pages (1305 words) Sources: 0 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Plato, Descartes

Allegory of the Cave in Book VII of Plato's Republic

What are the people in the cave seeing? What do they think they are seeing? Who does Socrates say that the people in the cave are like?

The people in the cave are somewhat subject to "tunnel vision," which is to say that those who are in the cave are allegorically restrained to the point where they cannot turn their heads to see what is around them, or what is behind them, but can only see directly in front of them. A basically low area of sight, with limited vision. This being said, the people think they are seeing all that there is to see in their world, and indeed, their entire life. With this in mind, Socrates says that the people in the cave are like prisoners who can only see shadows of what exists, not actual things themselves.

B- What is the metaphorical meaning of the cave and of the journey from the darkness of the cave to the outside world?

Metaphorically, the cave and the journey from the darkness of the cave to the outside world is the transition of the individual from the darkness of deception and emptiness in life to the bright light of truth, enlightenment and an overall enhanced life of righteousness.

C- What did the example of Santa Claus explain in relation to the experience of the journey out of the cave?

The example of Santa Claus as it relates to the experience of the journey out of the cave essentially comes down the choice of embracing good or bad behavior. For those who are good-such as those who choose to move out of the cave and into the light-Santa Claus represents rewards for good behavior. The bad-ones who stay in the darkness of the cave-are those for whom a lump of lowly coal awaits from Santa Claus. In just a few words, the parallel is one of reward vs. punishment and the free will to choose which will befall the individual.

D- Is the journey out of the cave and the arrival outside in the light a negative or positive experience, or both? Explain.

The journey out of the cave and the outside arrival are overall a positive experience, because what the journey culminates in is truth and positive living. However, there is a sort of negativity involved because the journey could be a painful adjustment for those who have to make the journey.

2. Descartes-Context and problem

A- in what era was Descartes living and working? What characterized this era in terms of intellectual development?

Descartes was living and working in the era when "modern" philosophy was coming into vogue, of which he was a major catalyst. This era was typified by times when the scientific method was the measure of what was real- in other words, if something could be proven by facts and figures, it was accepted as the truth. Because of this, intellectual development essentially became a matter of knowledge being based on what was at that time considered to be solid facts, rather than theories based on rumor or even faith, causing a rift in religion for example.

B- How did this context, and his personal experience of it, create a problem for Descartes, and what was that problem?

The context of the time created a problem for Descartes because his brand of philosophy directly opposed organized religion, which of course is based on acts of faith rather than scientific facts. Therefore, Descartes' problem was that he was going against the all powerful church officials of the times in which he lived and worked.

C- What does Descartes determine to seek? How will he perform this search - what will he do to investigate the problem? What is his primary tool(s)?

Descartes determines to seek the absolute, provable truth- those things that can be verified to be… READ MORE

How to Reference "Plato Descartes" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Plato Descartes Term Paper

Plato Descartes

Allegory of the Cave" in Book VII of Plato's Republic

What are the people in the cave seeing? What do they think they are seeing? Who does Socrates… read more

Term Paper 4 pages (1147 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

Descartes and the Life of the Mind Term Paper

Descartes and the Life of the Mind: In Support of "I think, therefore I am"

The legitimacy of the argument, "I think, therefore I am" is indeed one of the… read more

Term Paper 7 pages (2236 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Psychology / Behavior / Psychiatry

---

Plato's Viewpoint on Imperialism During WWII Term Paper

Plato's viewpoint on Imperialism during WWII

It is highly important to examine Plato's work, because much of what he looked at with ethics and other issues relates to Imperialism and… read more

Term Paper 17 pages (5749 words) Sources: 0 Style: MLA Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

Plato and Descartes Term Paper

Plato and Descartes

Descartes and Plato

Allegory of a Cave in Book 7 of Plato's Republic

Socrates is reported to have told Plato the allegory of a cave. In this… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1462 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

Plato the Failure of Rationalism: A Response Term Paper

Plato

The failure of rationalism: A response to Plato and Descartes

In the "Republic," the ancient Greek rationalist Socrates admits that, to a great extent, his vision of an ideal… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1246 words) Sources: 0 Style: APA Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>