MYSTICISM AND LOGIC 5 



You are describing a strange scene, and strange 

 prisoners. 



They resemble us, I replied. 



Now consider what would happen if the course of 

 nature brought them a release from their fetters, and a 

 remedy for their foolishness, in the following manner. 

 Let us suppose that one of them has been released, and 

 compelled suddenly to stand up, and turn his neck round 

 and walk with open eyes towards the light ; and let us 

 suppose that he goes through all these actions with pain, 

 and that the dazzling splendour renders him incapable of 

 discerning those objects of which he used formerly to see 

 the shadows. What answer should you expect him to 

 make, if some one were to tell him that in those days he 

 was watching foolish phantoms, but that now he is some- 

 what nearer to reality, and is turned towards things more 

 real, and sees more correctly ; above all, if lie were to 

 point out to him the several objects that are passing by, 

 and question him, and compel him to answer what they 

 are ? Should you not expect him to be puzzled, and to 

 regard his old visions as truer than the objects now forced 

 upon his notice ? 



Yes, much truer. . . . 



Hence, I suppose, habit will be necessary to enable him 

 to perceive objects in that upper world. At first he will 

 be most successful in distinguishing shadows ; then he 

 will discern the reflections of men and other things in 

 water, and afterwards the realities ; and after this he will 

 raise his eyes to encounter the light of the moon and stars, 

 finding it less difficult to study the heavenly bodies and 

 the heaven itself by night, than the sun and the sun*s light 

 by day. 



Doubtless. 



Last of all, I imagine, he will be able to observe and 



