Plato's Philosophy: Exploring Metaphysics and Reality

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who played an extraordinary part in the history of ideas. He preserved Socrates’ teachings for the future generations to come. He also, contributed his own original ideas on a variety of issues. Some of the issues he discussed were metaphysics, politics, morality, and epistemology. He believed that happiness is only achieved by people who try to make sure their Reason is in control of their Appetites and Spirits. Plato believed that in order to think philosophically one must have a sense of wonder. People must search for unity of knowledge, and have a desire to answer the big questions of life. He once said, “The feeling of wonder is the touchstone of the philosopher, and all philosophy has its origins in wonder.” One question that metaphysics addresses is, what is the nature of reality? Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is insightful at attempting to explain the nature of reality. During Plato’s time and today we have always

In order to do so people have to be dedicated, and willing. Wise teachers as guides often improve the chances. Plato used a multitude of metaphors and allegories to describe the intellectual journey of discovery. The most influential and lasting metaphor of these is “The Allegory of the Cave,” which has been a part Western thinking for many years now. His allegory communicates the rich symbolic terms a journey through different stages of knowledge echo the metaphysical and epistemological structure of the Divided Line analogy. In his allegory he showed how discarding ignorant beliefs and believing the truth can be a difficult process. We have to see things objectively, illuminated as they really are, instead of being shrouded in the shadows of bias and distortion. Accepting that we are wrong can be disturbing. Everyone likes to think that their own opinion is correct but sometimes it is best to try and see another point of