Evan Burbank
Professor Tranumn
22 March 2012
Human beings nowadays are too content with their life. We accept things for the way they are because we are too ignorant and lazy to explore our lives beyond what we perceive it to be. Western influence has caused most of the United States and much of the world to be content not only with their individual’s lives but life in general because we accept what we see and what “everyone knows” as true and real rather than seek the truth for ourselves. Plato’s cave allegory directly describes the American people as well as people around the world who have adopted the Western culture and way of life. Plato believes that those who have seen things as they really are using the full powers of the mind, will understandably be reluctant to return to the mundane world of human exchanges. I share Plato’s beliefs, and as I grow older and wiser I understand more and more why it is important to open our eyes and minds and expand our perception of reality because I have learned that accepting things at face value often leads to dismay. Growing up in Detroit my whole life and being raised by a father who was born in the 50’s and religiously conservative, my household wasn’t very open minded so therefore I wasn’t subject to a great deal of earthly values or people . I was surrounded by stable individuals who had accomplished life goals and aspirations and was discouraged from interacting with family members who didn’t practice the same values and beliefs my parents did. This resulted in me being very sheltered and very ignorant of the world around me at a young age, I instilled my parent’s beliefs and values because I didn’t know any better and I wasn’t allowed to be around any worse. Even after we moved from Detroit I still was imprisoned in this ordinary life Plato called, “The Cave” and I assumed that only what I could see, hear, touch or smell was real. Moving to Belleville was a life changing experience for me, both negatively and positively in the aspect that I became less prejudice and more open minded because people I surrounded myself with were open minded as well. It was only after my junior and during my senior year of high school that I began to rely on my reason rather than my senses to understand and know reality. My World Cultures class and teacher helped me understand that there is more to this world than us and that people are suffering and endure greater tolls in life than I do. I began to believe that just because I believe that Jesus Christ is God, then it doesn’t mean that all other religions are wrong and demonic. Who am I to say that my religion is the truth and the person next to me religion is false? Who’s to say which is right and wrong since we all believe that our own personal beliefs are absolute and no one can tell us any different? Plato’s cave allegory makes perfect sense and to me it seems that he is encouraging human beings of all backgrounds and cultures to take the initiative and raise awareness not only physically but intellectually as well.