Plato's Truth v. Reality

The Allegory of the Cave, written by Plato, brings an important distinction between truth and reality. Most people might think that they mean the same thing, but in fact, are totally different. One person's perception of the truth may be different from reality. Just as when we are kids, we think that Santa Claus exists, and that is the truth - to us. However, we know now that that is not the reality. Plato makes this distinction in the Allegory.

Plato says that humans are like the people in the cave. Their truth is what they see in fornt of them - what they have been told their whole life. They accept that and would swear by it. However, when given the opportunity to be shown the truth, several things can happen he says. He says that they can simply choose to go on accepting their truth as reality, because it contents them. They can try to grasp it all at once, but then when they realize it is too much, revert to their old truths which are now enlarged to an even worse state than when they began. Or, like coming into the light, if one weathers the initial change and and adjusts himeslf/herself, then that is when the truth and the reality become the same. One can see how wrong their previous truth actually was, and, little by little, grab a hold of reality.

Plato also says that reality cannot be thrust upon everyone, if they are not willing. He says that some people are so enthralled in their truth that they refuse to believe in the reality that might be just before their faces, if they but turn around.

Their is also a comparison between truth and reality, however. That is that reality stems from truth. Although one might not know the correct truth, they can create their own reality from it. This is why Plato says we must seek knowledge, so that we will know reality, and not be blinded by what our truths have created for us. Reality is based in truth but truth is not always based in reality. 

Plato makes these judgments on mankind as a philosopher. He views himself and the thinkers of his society as the ones have seen the light, and the others as those still stuck in the cave or trying to come out. He views his knowledge (though he knows it to be incomplete) as both reality and truth, but other's truths as false realities. 

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