Austin Fontaine 
Megan Novelli In my understanding of the allegory of the cave, it is interesting to think on one hand how enlightened of a society that we have become, how through science and global research we have universal truths and yet on the other hand how we can still reject a idea because it clashes with an emotional “truth”. Hearing the story of the cave I would like to think to myself that I would never be the person who tried to break my bonds to kill the messenger because I have enlightenment and reason on my side. However, there is constant evidence showcasing the rejection of a truth despite evidence to the contrary. For example, a Pew poll that was taken back in August 2010 shows that President Obama is still widely thought of as a Muslim.
1 in 5 Americans (18%) Think he’s a Muslim
1/3 of Adults (34%) think he’s a christian
43% say that they don’t know what his religious status
There is a large correlation between his political opponents and the belief that he is indeed Muslim, showing that this is a negative assumption. President Obama has stated many times, publicly and written, that he is a practicing christian. Then why is this, (somewhat simple belief, and by simple I mean if he was Muslim would it have that great of an impact on his ability to effectively hold the office of the president) hold so much sway and the rejection that he is christian so great? There is a large % of American troops that are healthy, safe practicing Muslim’s. Why then would it be different to have a President who was a practicing Muslim? Ultimately it seems that the simple truth that he is a christian is rejected, just like in the allegory of the cave, by those who reject President Obama as a whole. So even a simple truth, one that shouldn’t determine his presidency is rejected.
Bradley Campbell
Michael Bartholomew
3:59 pm, 08.31.10
What you’ve described definitely sounds like an example of “prisoners trying to kill the messenger.” The truth clashes with the reality they’ve come to accept (regarding Obama) and it feels at times that no matter how hard you try, there are no swaying some people. Building on the allegory, they are so tied to their dank, dark world that they can’t seem to break away due to the pain of being threatened by the truth, or perhaps just admitting that their world is a sham. I sometimes wonder, in having conversations with people like described, are they an example of “lower” class in Plato’s perfect republic? Some people don’t seem to abide by reason, which is something I have hard time wrapping my head around.
Josh Morrison
7:56 pm, 08.31.10
This post made me think about something I hadn’t previously in regards to Plato’s cave idea, namely, the specifics of how the message of “truth” would be delivered to those still in the cave. What I mean is, I’d never given thought to whether or not one simple fact was enough to start the conversion of or friction with those remaining in the cave. In my imagining of the situation I always saw the person coming back into the cave and inviting the others to return with her or him and trying to explain how different the “real” world was. Now that I think about it though, it does seem possible that these events would begin because of the introduction of one fact.
Jonathan Sanders
12:45 pm, 09.01.10
Concerning these people that would kill another after he returns from his excursion out into the light, I think that we all can agree that they become violent after having their reality put into question because they are ignorant of the “true” reality. So from an ethical standpoint, should someone be punished out of sheer ignorance? I am not saying that we condone murder out of ignorance, but shall we label them “lower class” “uneducated” etc. because they simply have not had the opportunity to know? Furthermore, instead of shattering their reality with the possibility of damaging them psychologically, would it be better not to leave certain individuals to reside happily in the darkness?
Courtney Price
8:28 pm, 09.04.10
I completely agree with your correlation between the allegory of the cave and the clashing views of the state of President Obama’s religious standing. I also found it equally interesting that people take such an interest in what his religious beliefs are. If America is such a free country why does a president need to be Christian?