The Philosopher’s Ascending And Descending The Philosophical Predicament In Plato’s Metaphor Of Cave

Abstract：Plato’s work is one of the greatest classic and now his philosophicalthoughts had a far-reaching influence. Republic, Plato’s great masterpieces，is eternalwork，and it have lost nothing in attention and research for a long time. Conversely, inthe face of the thoughts of modern society, it took on a more strong and urgent. As oneof the important works of Plato, Republic contains deep and abundant thoughts, in asense, the metaphor of cave in Chapter7is a very important entrance to understandthe central thought of Republic. In this article, I attempt to analyze that why thephilosopher have to go up and go down and then go up to the cave again, and what ishis purpose in all this. Finally, I hope to know what ultimate significance thephilosopher had pursued, and what is the relationship between the philosophy andpolitics, and how should philosopher and city treat each other and get along?Philosopher had been forced to go up the cave, then he had seen the sun andunderstood the truth of object outside the cave. In Republic Socrates think the creatorof city should give those gifted people a good education, make them have a noblespirit and upmost knowledge, after that they can realize the truth and attain supremegood. The man, who had gotten freedom and then forced to go up or go down the cave,came from a prisoner to a philosopher after he had seen the sun, endued withimportant mission after return to the cave. He, who as the citizen of city and waseducated by the creator of city, should care and defend the citizen of city, and sticktogether through thick and thin. Because he have a noble spirit and had seen the realbeauty and justice and good, so he can manage the city soberly.Because philosopher pursue absolute truth, freedom and ideal world, so he hadbeen forced to manage the city. In his view, the affairs of city is very useless, thepeople indulge in reputation, power and wealth. If philosopher manage the city, hemust change the ingrained tradition of the city. However, in the citizen of city view, itis very difficult to receive the philosopher’s standpoint. The conflict of philosopherand city is unavoidable, because of the irreconcilable difference of the philosopherand politics. It is concerned about morality, custom, law, religion and so on, which are social public affairs in politics, and its purpose is to have an impact on society andreform the world through the authority of oneself. However, in philosophy, it can onlyknow the world but can’t change the world through the way of itself, and philosophermerely loves the wisdom, pursues pure knowledge, crazies about absolute freedom.Altogether, philosophy and politics are essentially like two parallel lines, they willnever intersect.Aristotle says that man is by nature a political animal. Philosopher can’t breakfree from body and environment, although he has lofty ideals. In order to relax theconflict of philosopher and city, it is necessary that politics combine with philosophyto form the political philosophy, and thereby philosopher becomes a politicalphilosopher. It can avoid philosophy gone mad in this manner, make philosophyreturn to common sense, sobriety and moderation. Compared to the other affairs ofcity, philosopher think education, which concerns the rise and decline of the city, ismost important. Therefore, philosopher attaches great importance to education, and hehopes to go up the cave though education with the people who love wisdom andpursue truth.It is not possible to change the philosophical standpoint or the old custom andnotion of politics in the combination of philosophy and politics. Philosopher can’tbreak free from body and environment, and what is more, his behavior is verydangerous in politician’s view. Therefore, it is not possible to establish the perfect cityby philosopher, finally he was put to death. However, philosopher died by the hand ofcity and himself.As philosopher’s typical representative, Socrates knows that the political societyis imperfect and the people have some limitations. Despite all that, Socrates is stillhoping to transcend the limit and to comprehend the limitless but in vain and evenlaying down his life. Finally, he refused the rescue from his friend, the spirit ofself-destruction shows that he might have stood against the imperfection andlimitations, and awake the people’s soul ultimately.