Plato Study Questions

1. According to Socrates, what does the Allegory of the Cave represent?
Socrates connects the Allegory of the Cave to how each of us perceives our world.
2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?  
The shadows, because we see them and they follow us everywhere but they are not actually physical things.
4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?
 The perspectives and views of the cave dwellers consists of narrow mindedness and little view of the real world.
5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
There is a long line of things that "shackle the mind".  Addicting games, Facebook, anything internet related that consumes your time and "pulls" you in for hours, and many things on TV.
6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
The prisoners still consumed in the cave only understand what they can see, shadows, but the freed prisoner can see the light and begins to see the world through reality.
7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?
The first is by birth and being born into a world where we cannot think for ourselves. The second is when we let our perception of what something is when it gets in the way.
 8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom?
The prisoner is dragged out and I think he had to be dragged because the prisoner was used to being in the cave or was to weak and tired to be released out on his own.
9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I agree, mainly because I know how it is to pretend you are feeling one thing but really feeling horrible inside. Take high school for example, everyone acts a little in their life. Wether it's  putting on a smile and feeling bad inside, or crying and creating drama just for the attention.10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
 10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions? 
I agree with him but I think the two alternate metaphysical assumptions ARE reality.. I guess.