Jess Gebauer- Response to "Allegory of the Cave"

I find it very curious that Plato chooses to voice his thoughts through his mentor and main character, Socrates. Although discovering this is not the main purpose of the assignment, I find it quite fascinating. Perhaps Plato is honoring Socrates by using his name in the dialogue, perhaps he is using Socrates' name to gain influence and notoriety. I suppose there are many reasons why he might include Socrates as the voice of his work, much like an artist uses a medium. "Allegory of the Cave" is a very perplexing piece of philosophy. It is the type of work that could be debated for great lengths of time; the meaning of it, its impact and the truth or untruth of Plato's words. Personally I fell it relates very well to modern man, and perhaps societies throughout all time. There is a certain laziness in some humans that is not found in others. This is what separates the thinkers and doers from the rest of the herd. In "Allegory of the Cave" the men chained to the wall are the uneducated and the free men are the wise and knowledgeable. Plato questions the will of the men chained to the wall and whether or not they would by choice strain for freedom and hence knowledge of the outside world. He also suggests that some of the free men would perhaps choose ignorance if given the choice. It is an interesting concept and one I feel we can find examples of time and time again. Man is a creature of habit and a select few really push the boundaries. All people can be shown the way to knowledge and self cultivation. However, not all people react the same way. Some will leap at the opportunity and choose to strike out on their own and pursue life to its fullest. Others will simply choose ignorance and be satisfied with what they know, never wanting more. The real purpose of the "Allegory of the Cave", as I see it, is to see for yourself which one you are, which person you strive to be.