A Study on Educational Implications of ‘Allegory of Cave’ in Plato’s Republic

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze and translate ‘Allegory of Cave’ in Plato’s Republic, vol. 7 from an educational perspective, focusing on the unique meaning and importance of allegory. For achieving this aim, researcher firstly tried to reconstruct forms of this allegory, introduced by Plato in a conversational type step by step, and tried to identify many educational implications involved in this allegory in three main aspects. Conclusions are as follows; Firstly, researcher found that concept of ‘conversional education’ handled as important assignment of educational work in allegory. In view of this suggestion, educators would be rethinking critically and be prepared to change their traditional concept of education. Secondly, researcher found that removing prejudices or preconceptions is an important assignment for educational activities in this allegory. In view of this discovery, educators would make efforts to remove prejudices or preconceptions before teaching specific knowledge or information. Lastly, researcher discovered that one of the important attitudes of educators is to have the humanity toward ignorant and stupid people in the allegory. In this view, educators would provide their own true knowledge or information to the ignorant. In addition to this implications, researcher tried to suggest the possibilities of re-translating the ‘Allegory of Cave’ for having meaningful connotations and implications.