Allegory of the Cave - Good advice for the Web Designer

What does it describe?

In Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” Plato seems to be referring to truth and the reliability of our own perceptions in regard to leading a shallow life versus leading an enlightened life. The concept of the allegory itself is very enlightening and is something that everyone should look at. It shows how different paradigms can lead to different lifestyles.

Explanation of the picture

Those leading a shallow life in this allegory are the prisoners who must sit and watch shadows pass by on the walls… shadows of puppets… shadows that define their perception of life. These prisoners live in ignorance with their idea of reality being simplistic shadows cast upon walls, but they know nothing else. Is it wrong that their perception of life is different than those who have been let out of the cave? That all depends on whether or not you think ignorance is bliss. By living in ignorance and leading a shallow life these prisoners don’t know what they’re missing out on in the world above; the shadows are all they know. They may have a superficial glimpse of the world, but they may be happy in their shallow mindset.

Whoa, what? A Bit of Analysis.

Although ignorance may be bliss, Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” suggests that there is a deeper form of bliss and happiness once you find your way out of the cave and ascend into the sunlight. However, only a few individuals will ever escape the cave since it takes such persistence and defiance to do so. Once you are exposed to the world beyond the shadows, you can explore different ideologies, be placed in different situations, and have a shift in your paradigm. This transformation is suggested to produce a person of high substance – one with the “mystical awareness of Goodness as the origin of everything that exists.” These people are destined to be leaders in society, the only problem is that those underground will not understand what these enlightened leaders propose.

(1) Relates - Our Society

This is similar to our society, and reminds me of one of my favourite quotes by Jonathan Swift: “When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign: that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.” This seems to be a constant pattern in our society. When Barack Obama first began his presidential campaign in the United States of America, the majority of the southern states were against having an African American as president. In the American Civil War, the southern states were against the northern states in a fight over abolition of slavery. Although the northern states were victorious, the southern states are still known to be racist to this very day. Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Party leader during the Civil War, was one of the main political leaders to first campaign against the expansion of slavery, going against the grain of half the American society! Lincoln was one of the people who escaped the cave, and spread his enlightenment with a whole country.

(2) Relates - In Literature - Harry Potter? Really?

Not only in societal instances is Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” shown, but also in literature. In the Harry Potter series, we are introduced to the Muggle World and the Wizarding World. The Muggle World consists of non-magical people (muggles) and is in coexistence with the Wizarding World with few muggles knowing about the existence of this other world. The muggles live in oblivion and seem to like it – however the wizards who live in oblivion, such as Harry Potter, until they are of “legal age” to attend magic school, are frustrated. Harry doesn’t find out he is a wizard until age 11, and lives a terrible life in the Muggle World until he is enlightened by this knowledge. Once in the Wizarding World, Harry can live to his full potential and prove himself as an intelligent and daring wizard. Before this, Harry was living among those in oblivion, those in the cave, too ignorant to see the potential right above them.

(3) Relates - in Web Design!

This allegory can be applied to web design as well - especially when thinking of new design ideas. Think outside the box, don't let those blinders stop you from seeing a design's true potential or your designing potential.