Daiva Kuncaite
HUP 101
Prof.
09/30/2009
Reflection of Plato “Allegory of the Cave” in Today’s Society
“Allegory of the Cave” is a dialog between Socrates and Gloucon in “The Republic” written by Plato. The image of the cave is a universal picture of the human conditions that applies to everyone. It questions the justice created by the society and human nature. The idea conveyed through the dialogue thousands of years ago is so general that examples could be found in today’s society as well.
In the beginning Socrates draws the mental image of the cave to his student. The cave is long and dark, but at the opening to the cave you can see some light coming in. In the cave there are humans chained as prisoners facing the wall and who are allowed to turn their heads and look around. They watch the shadows on the wall presented by the puppeteers behind the wall that stands between the burning fire and prisoners. The chained prisoners are happy because they had been fed by the shadows since birth. They have never been outside the cave and they don’t have the desire to go there. However, one prisoner with the help of a wise man like the philosopher liberates himself from the dark cave, sees the puppeteers producing images, and realizes that the shadows in the cave are not real. He also sees the sun which represents the ultimate meaning of life. Since the prisoner must return to the cave after his journey, the truth which he had unveiled is going to change his life.
According to the Socrates image of the cave, all humans born in the society are prisoners who are chained by the society’s rules and regulations that everyone must follow. All puppeteers, on the other hand, are leaders of the society or government that creates those rules and regulations to keep the prisoners happy in the society. Their job is to produce images to the prisoners and keep them happy. As an example of the image of the cave in our society I would

Daiva Kuncaite
HUP 101
Prof.
09/30/2009 like to analyze fast food restaurant chains across America, and an increase in the health problems related to the high calorie food.
Fast food restaurant owners are the puppeteers that feed people with the images. First they created catchy logos like “McDonalds” with dancing clown and opened a franchise – a restaurant chain where each restaurant looks the same. This image served as a trademark for people or prisoners who could recognize the image anywhere in the world. The puppeteers also presented a picture of the menu: a hamburger, french fries and a soda. With the help of media they spread the images of the food and restaurant chains worldwide. The commercials on the TV were attractive, because you could see generous portions of fresh and juicy hamburgers served on the customers plates and overjoyed children eating the french fries. You want to be one of those people and experience the same joy of eating as you saw in the commercial. Food images seen on the TV, magazines and newspapers amplify people’s curiosity to come and try the food.
The taste was phenomenal and ensnared the people to return to the outlets to have the same meal over and over again.
I have understood the power of image when the first “McDonalds” restaurant was opened in Lithuania. The preexisting concept that this restaurant belongs to the famous restaurant chain in America, and whose commercials are on the television 24/7 made it popular overnight. With the high prices compared to the ethnic food, it became a place of family dining at special occasions. The commercials promoting ‘McDonald’s restaurant was formulated to attract the families with kids to celebrate their birthdays instead of advertising the restaurant as a place to get quick lunches.

Daiva Kuncaite
HUP 101
Prof.
09/30/2009
However, according to the Socrates, puppeteers only show the images that make the prisoners happy. Therefore, the hospitality of the fast food restaurants and efficient customer service satisfied hungry prisoners who frequented the outlets more than ever. Fast food restaurants never revealed the true facts about the dangerous side effects of their served meals, because they knew that the truth would be harmful to the society. People would be devastated to find that their favorite meal is unhealthy. However, some prisoners have found the truth and made the necessary changes in their diet and meal choices. These prisoners can be related to the liberated prisoner in the Socrates “Allegory of the Cave”, who can see that the images created by the fast food restaurants are not real. In reality, the food is greasy, contains enormous amount of calories, and a health risk.
Puppeteers change their marketing techniques according to the economical situation of the society. Today, the fast food restaurants are concentrating on low and middle income families by marketing a dollar value menu. For example, ‘Dunkin Donuts’ started ‘breakfast not a brokefast” commercial after the economic crisis affected consumer spending. Therefore, people are happy getting cheap meals, and the company is happy because they are successful in their marketing strategies which are going to reap them benefits.
Prisoners, on the other hand, are not victims. The demand for fast food increased with increasing pace of life in American society. America is as capitalistic country where time is money and most people don’t have time to cook. With both parents working, the children are left to survive on the fast food. The time given for lunch break at work is not enough to commute home and have a proper meal. These reasons have led people to choose fast food over home cooked meal. According to the public demand, puppeteers created more images to satisfy the

Daiva Kuncaite
HUP 101
Prof.
09/30/2009 growing needs of the population. Since the life is getting busier, they created drive through system, where you don’t even need to step out of the car and get your favorite food. Also, today people are willingly choosing fast foods even when they see the calorie contents on the menu.
Even though the research shows that fast food causes serious health problems like obesity and diabetes, the knowledge doesn’t seem to scares them from eating fast food and preventing health problems.
Fast food restaurants bring a lot of money indirectly to the health care system. Since the food is packed with enormous amounts of calories and not long time ago – trans fats, caused obesity and heart problems especially in children. Most commercials advertising fast foods are directed towards children. However, that is an investment for the support of the future health care system, because obesity causes further health related problems.
In conclusion, the Socrates ideas about the society, justice and nature are still relevant to today’s society. People are prisoners that are being led by the images created by the puppeteers or leaders of the society. They are trying to keep us happy by creating glamorous images like the fast food commercials. Puppeteers also change their techniques according to the economic situation or social demands. Therefore, prisoners are not always the victims of manipulations.
The prisoner’s complaints demand better performance from the puppeteers who find ways to satisfy the needy prisoners at any cost.