The Cave

Imagine you have been imprisoned all your life in a dark cave. Your hands and feet are shackled and your head restrained so that you can only look at the wall straight in front of you.Behind you is a blazing fire, and between you and the fire a walkaway on which you captors carry statues and all sort of things.The shadows cast on the wall by these objects are the only things you and your fellow prisoners have ever seen, ever thought and ever talked about.Now supposed you are released from your shackles and free to walk around the cave. You gradually come to understand the origins of the shadows.Finally you are allowed out of the cave into the sunlit world outside where you see the fullness of reality illuminated by the Sun.You return back to the cave and try to explain to your fellow prisoners. They would say that your outside visit has ruined your sight and not worth even attempting.The prisoners are released and eventually they lay their hands on you and attempt to kill you.