The Modern Allegory of the Cave
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Why this ancient story (and a small extension) is more relevant today than ever before.
It’s how this story told by Plato 2,500 years ago ends that sets the stage for our modern application. After returning into the cave to free his fellow prisoners, the freed prisoner is seen not as a long lost friend, but as a lunatic, and is killed before he’s allowed to free anyone else.
We live in a divided world. While many are focused on making money, and seeking power and fame, most of us agree these are not the most important things in life. In fact, many agree that money and power are distractions from what is truly important; freedom, relationships, and the opportunity to enjoy moments of happiness.
Our divides, unfortunately, are not logical. We live on a planet with plentiful resources, with enough money and homes for everyone, and yet the poor and homeless surround us. We are faced with a completely illogical world, where we fight over the past, blame others for holding the wrong beliefs, and sulk in suffering and stress that wreaks havoc on our bodies and minds.
What are we to do?
The Allegory of the Cave
If you are not familiar with this story, here are a few great sources. And here is my summary, which will parlay into a modern-day extension directly applicable to your life right now.
Plato tells the story of prisoners inside a large cave with a fire burning in the center. The prisoners are bound so they cannot move, and can only see the cave wall in front of them. On the wall is their entertainment — shadows cast by forms held behind their heads, keeping their source a secret. Having been born in this situation, the prisoners understand the shadows to be the only thing that is real. The prisoners would talk amongst themselves about the shadows, agreeing to their truthiness.
As the story goes, a prisoner is freed, and dragged outside the cave into the light. After some adjustment to the light, the prisoner would eventually figure out that the shadows back in the cave were not all there was to reality. They would see the light from the sun, moon, and stars and their understanding of light and shadow would be dramatically expanded.
Now free, the prisoner considers his situation. At this point in the story, Plato asks;
“… when he remembered his old habitation and the wisdom of the den and his fellow-prisoners, do you not suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them?”
Yes, right? You too would want to return to the cave to help your old friends out of their imprisonment.
Here comes the end of Plato’s story: the freed person returns to the cave, and when he talks about the shadows, the sun, and the moon, is considered dangerous, and killed by those he sought to free.
The application to our lives is this: our world is complex, and discovering reality is far more difficult than it seems at first. We start our in life as prisoners to our culture, religion, and close relationships. We often leave these caves for larger truths, and then often turn back around to try and share our discovered truths with others we feel are imprisoned.
As Plato described thousands of years ago, this is the same situation we are in today. We work to educate each other about evolution, climate change, gender fluidity, sexual freedom, animal consciousness, social government, and many other big-picture ideas. But are you grabbing the shackles and yanking? Chances are, that’s not working for you.
It’s no wonder that The Allegory of the Cave is considered to be among the most important works of philosophy of all time. It’s as true today as it was ages ago.
But, it’s not complete. The story can’t end with the hero dying.
The Modern Extension
I offer to you now a modern-day extension to this allegory; one that brings this tale into full relevancy with our divided world.
There is one important element to Plato’s cave that he fails to mention; the Shadowcasters. Who are these people that are responsible for casting the shadows on the walls that keep the prisoners from discovering the truth?
Imagine that inside the cave are some prisoners who found themselves freed, but were too afraid to leave the cave. Rather, they made their way to the softer light of the fire in the center of the cave. There, they joined the Shadowcasters, and learned their trade. The goal of the Shadowcasters is simple. In order to remain relevant, and to enjoy the experience of influencing the conversations among the prisoners, they must keep the prisoners trapped.
And now, imagine that many more prisoners have set themselves free, left the cave, and returned inside to help others. However, having learned from Plato’s sacrificial savior, they hesitate from explaining the shadows the prisoners, and trying to remove their restrains.
Instead, they form a plan. They work together to cast a new kind of shadow — shadows that get the prisoners to look to the left, and to the right, up to the roof, and down to the ground. Their goal is indirect, hoping that the prisoners will discover for themselves the reality of the cave.
Even as the freed Shadowcasters are using forms they know to be not entirely true, they wield them for the higher purpose of setting their friend free. They rebuke the practice of the other Shadowcasters, even as they use the same tools.
The freed Shadowcasters are successful, and prisoners become aware of their situation, and free themselves. One by one, prisoners looking left and right become aware of the cave, and one by one, they get up, see the light at the exit to the cave, and leave for the real world.
Not happy about the prisoners being set free, the Shadowcasters start working to kill the freed Shadowcasters, and stop the exodus.
The Two Kinds of Shadows
I know, I said the story shouldn’t end with the hero dying. However, the truth is still the same all these years later. Look to the likes of freed Shadowcasters like Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Jesus, and you’ll agree; casting the wrong kind of shadow can get you killed.
Here is what this extension of the story means today; we are still suffering from imprisonment. The shadows on our cave walls are money, power, progress, and success. They are false stories, covering up the true reality of universal love, compassion, and oneness with all life.
Are you a prisoner? Universal love, compassion, and oneness with all life. If you feel those words are crazy, then you, my friend, are a prisoner. If you are suffering day to day with despair or loneliness, you’re a prisoner. If you feel there is just one way to be good or holy, you’re a prisoner. If you feel that some amount of “more stuff” is all you need to be happy, you’re a prisoner. Even if you feel happy because of the things you have, you’re a prisoner, albeit a happy prisoner.
Even once freed, it’s easy to loose your freedom. I find myself back in shackles at times, times when I forget the difference between the shadows. Despair and desire sometimes pull me back into my chains, imprisoned again.
However, I can always set myself free. There is a way out! But first, I must remember the two types of shadows; the shadows that trap, and the shadows that set me free.
See if these shadow patterns are familiar to you…
Shadows that Trap You
Anyone who communicates with a sense of urgency, fear, or anger, is casting shadows to keep you in place. The use of emotion to provoke you to act is a form of manipulation that has been used for ages to keep people in control. Anyone who tries to get you to feel a certain way is doing so because in that state you will react in a predictable manner; as a prisoner.
For example, social media apps are designed to deliver to you pleasure, which will keep you scrolling for more, even if you would prefer to stop and get some chores done, or go to sleep.
In politics, fear is used to get you to remain loyal. Politicians use blame and bullying to put others down so that they will feel like the stronger, safer choice.
Another example is a boss that sets an arbitrary deadline so you will feel an urgency to work harder. They are merely a Shadowcaster, working to keep you in place as a cog in a corporate machine.
However, emotional manipulation is not the only form of shadows that trap. Nearly anything to do with money (buy this to solve that), power (do this to be in charge of that), or status (identify as this to get that) are shadows cast by the ignorant, intended to keep you inside a system that benefits only a few at the top.
Sadly, many trying to free prisoners end up casting the wrong kinds of shadows. This can be seen in the urgency of doing something about climate change, the moral imperative of becoming Vegan, ACAB, and the labeling of anyone refusing a vaccine as an anti-vaxxer. These shadows have the effect of keeping people in place with feeling belittled and misunderstood, doing opposite work of expanding people’s minds and helping understand complex ideas with which they are unfamiliar.
The shadows that trap us are everywhere; in the media, in marketing, at work and even at home. And remember, those who cast them often know very little about the world outside the cave.
Luckily for you and me, these kinds of shadows aren’t the only game being played in our cave of life. There are also shadows that set you free.
Shadows That Set You Free
In contrast to the shadows that trap, which make the world black and white, or good and bad, shadows that set you free are trying to get you to see a bigger picture.
Freeing shadows won’t ever try to get you to feel a certain way, or pressure you into a choice. Rather, they point out that there is much more to life for you to see and learn. They encourage you to learn on your own. They ask you to use your intelligence to decide for yourself. Shadows that set you free often involve mystery, and an expansion of awareness beyond your own immediate interests.
For example, the foundation of every major religion has messages that get us to see a bigger picture, a picture larger than just money and marriage. They ask us to love everyone, and see our part in a larger whole. These are shadows that set many people free. (NOTE: due to church-related trauma, I want to acknowledge that religions are infiltrated by ignorant Shadowcasters, and they’ve caused a ton of harm. I have felt this in my life, so I sympathize)
Another example is in meditation and yoga. The understanding and study of these philosophies and practices are intended to broaden your awareness, generate love for yourself and others, and get you in touch with your emotions and your body. These are the shadows that can set you free from suffering. (NOTE: again, the “westernization” of yoga has misled many into thinking it’s a workout. It’s not.)
There are many many shadows around you that can set you free; they include music, some drug or sexual experiences, mysticism or philosophy, systems theory or studies of consciousness, and many more. Remember, the difference is in their intent: are the shadows trying to get you to react emotionally, or trying to expand your mind? Distinguishing the difference is perhaps the most important lesson you can learn in life.
Back Into The Cave We Go
For many of us today, this world is quite a challenge. Trying to find your place in it all, and make a positive difference in the process… it’s overwhelming. For those that encounter higher truths, it can be so exciting! But remember: life is not the analogy. It’s not like you escape once and you’re done.
Here’s the key take-away: don’t try to remove other people’s shackles. Don’t become Plato’s sacrificial hero.
This means don’t blame others. Don’t judge people or argue with them. Don’t belittle and don’t assume that you know more than others. Rather, learn the work of the freed Shadowcasters. This game of awakening is not about facts, it’s about each individual’s right to walk their own path, and the art of playfully helping each other get free.
The best work you can do is right in front of you. Those most receptive to the freeing shadows are those who you already know and trust. Your work is in the relationships with the people you know the best. Your family. Your co-workers. Your neighbors. In those places you can thoughtfully and lovingly cast shadows to set others free. This is how you can help transform this world into a better place, and help everyone finally leave the cave.
