"The Allegory of the Cave" - Discussion

Question 1

SOAPSTONE

Answer 1

• S: Socrates, dialogue, wise, thinker
• O: empirical knowledge debate
• A: non-philosophers, empiricism is king
• P: argue that real understanding cannot be observed (exclusively)
• S: allegory, imagery, dialogue
• TONE: philosophical, instructive

Question 2

focus: writing techniques for good rhetorical analysis

Answer 2

• our own writing, whether in rhetorical analysis or in our own arguments, should have the following characteristics:
• • clear: taking something complex and making it simple and straightforward
• • concise: writing only as much as is needed to make the point; however, be sure to write enough to make the point
• • consistent: make sure your writing flows

Question 3

step 1

Answer 3

Plato’s

Question 4

step 2

Answer 4

adoption

Question 5

step 3

Answer 5

of the persona of Socrates

Question 6

step 4

Answer 6

endows his arguments with a deeper level of authority and credibility

Question 7

note

Answer 7

• allegory; figurative language
• allegories
• the message governing should be left to those of mediocre intelligence
• Plato’s extended metaphor crafts the idea that ignorant people prefer to remain in the dark
• Plato
• extended metaphor