Reply #73: So we sit here in Plato's cave, arguing about the shadows on the wall [View All]

As Plato explained, we're chained in place in such a way that we can't look behind us to see what makes the shadows. All we can do is sit and argue.

Some of us refuse to admit there are any shadows and suggest the rest of us should get our eyes examined.

Some of us acknowledge the shadows are there but deny there is anything behind us to cast them and suggest they may be the result of natural properties of the rock face.

Some of us think the shadows are simply own own, caused by some trick of the light to appear far larger than we are and oddly shaped.

Others claim that they know exactly what causes the shadows and may even attempt to use that supposed knowledge to intimidate and control their fellow cave-dwellers.

And still others merely enjoy watching the shadows pass and change, pointing out one particularly striking shape or another, and making up what Plato called "likely stories" about the beings and events which could be causing them.

I'm with the story-tellers, myself. But as beautiful and inspiring as some of the stories are, I'm always aware that I'm still stuck in this damned cave and don't know shit.