The Philosopher's Shirt

Philosophical Dictionary

  • Illustrated cross-section of Plato's cave allegory, showing chained prisoners facing shadow puppets of a vase, horse, and bird cast by firelight, with a figure escaping toward the cave entrance above.

    Plato's Cave Allegory: One Prisoner Is Dragged Out. Then He Goes Back.

    By Markus Uehleke

    Plato's Cave usually stops at 'enlightenment.' The real ending, from Republic Book VII, has a prisoner going blind twice and one exact line about killing anyone who tries to free the others. Here's what the Cave actually says about truth, education, and who gets punished for ending an illusion.
  • Where Aristotle contradicted Plato

    Where Aristotle contradicted Plato

    By Markus Uehleke

    Why and how do the two philosophies of Plato and Aristotle differ? We explain the differences with the help of a meme. Read more here.