The Allegory of the Cave.

In the Allegory of the Cave, Socrates suggests that, without philosophical education, we are all like the prisoners in the cave. What are your thoughts on this? How is philosophy supposed to be liberating? Do you think Socrates is right to be so pessimistic about life without philosophy?

I would agree with Socrate's suggestion that we are like the prisoners in the cave without Philosophical education. I agree because if you take a look at the human race as a whole, and the beliefs and thoughts that were thought to be true about our sun, the universe, our existence and so much more (thousands of years ago) we would have never advanced or progressed in our wisdom. We would also have never been challenged our beliefs and what we thought as "real" which would probably have prevented us from comparing our thoughts and ideas with people from other parts of the world. I think the ability to reason and to question reality and what we accept as "normal" is what separates us from animals and allows us to continue to grow and evolve.

Philosophy liberates us because it forces us to think without the "shackles" that are trapping our minds into thinking in specific ways. It's also like living with blinders on - the kind horses wear - they force you to see in one direction. Philosophy takes those shackles and blinders of the mind off and therefore liberates us.

I don't necessarily think you can say Socrates is "right" or "wrong" in his opinion about life without philosophy. One could argue that ignorance is bliss and therefore is a better way to live life. However, I can definitely see his point of view. Personally, I can't imagine a life where one just accepts things the way they are without questioning the why's and how's of them. The answers will lead to more questions and therefore more knowledge, just like the Socratic method does.