Plato and Sontag in conversation

Plato and Sontag in Conversation Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Instructor Due Date Plato and Sontag in Conversation Brief Discussion of What Is Considered the Main Idea of Each Author The main idea conveyed in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and Susan Sontag’s “On Photography” is the overall conception of reality. Both articles seem to be asking what reality is and if it exists. In exploring this question, both articles suppose that how people perceive the world around them is defined by their societies, more so because they build their own experiences based on what is around them. Sontag’s approach supposes that photography plays a crucial role in understanding reality. In her opinion, photography is characteristically a predatory act, which reveals how one is seen by others and not by themselves (Sontag, 1977). That is, photography may be interpreted as distancing people from reality. The distancing is because photography separates people from reality. After all, taking pictures limits a person’s experience. On the same note, Plato explores the idea of reality by using the cave as a symbolic representation of how people live in societies. As of this understanding, Plato contrasts reality with its overall interpretation, depicted in the world inside the cave and outside (Conford, 1976). Those living in the cave believe the shadows created on the walls are reality, while those who break free see the outside world as the true reality. What Is Plato Interested in Exploring in the “Allegory of the Cave;” What Is Sontag Interested in Exploring in Her Essays? Although the two articles take a different approach, they both focus on exploring the overall idea of reality and whether it exists. Plato’s focus on exploring the general idea of reality is apparent in that he delves deep into philosophical thoughts regarding the truth and how it may be perceived differently based on a person’s background. The truth is not solid for the people living in the cave since the images on the wall are constantly changing. Therefore, the instability or inconsistency deciphered from the shadows on the wall is construed to mean that whatever is experienced by those in the cave is a false reality (Conford, 1976). The aspect of false reality is ingrained in the idea that those in the cave lack th...