Plato: “Allegory of the Cave”

Questions for Further Study

• 1. In the field of education, many teachers make use of what is called the Socratic method. Based on what you know from the entry, how would you define the Socratic method of teaching, and why would many educators regard this as an effective way to teach?
• 2. Compare and contrast Plato's views of government with those of his student Aristotle as found in the Athenian Constitution.
• 3. What, according to Plato, is a “philosopher-king”? Why did Plato place so much emphasis on this vision of rulers? Do you think that modern presidents, prime ministers, and leaders of nations exhibit any of the characteristics of the philosopher-king, or does the modern dominance of television require leaders to project a different image? Explain.
• 4. Imagine that you have been asked to summarize Plato's “Allegory of the Cave” in a single sentence. Compose the sentence.
• 5. What events in ancient Greece in and around the time Plato wrote contributed to his views of government and thus contributed to the content of the “Allegory of the Cave”?