ABSTRACT
Being in the moment becomes impossible, even unbearable, if whatever happens in time is merely an appearance, something that only seems to be true. This is the view introduced by Plato’s “Myth of the Cave” from The Republic. This story portrays all of humanity as trapped in a cave in which their only reality is shadows manipulated by a priesthood of puppeteers. This telling of the story identifies some characters as traditionalists and others as sophists in order to highlight its relevance to contemporary ideological conflicts. The explication of the story suggests that Plato created the “Myth” and began the history of metaphysical philosophy because he could not bear the possibility that the glory of Athens would not endure. However, by portraying everything in the world as a shadow in comparison to being in truth, Plato devalued everyday experience, particularity and temporality.
