Concerning the debate between appearance and reality, we can look to a celebrated philosopher, who lived in the 4th century B.C.E, but is still read and studied today, this person being Plato. In book VII of The Republic, Plato puts into words the life of another great philosopher of the time, Socrates. Socrates was a man interested in what people thought and why they came to certain conclusions. He roamed about Athens, where he came to live, and talked to people about justice and knowledge. He ultimately lost his life to his passion of asking provocative questions, but not before he could make an impact that is still felt.

Book VII of Plato’s The Republic (which, for ease, will be referred to as The Cave) is an allegory about society and the restraints that are

The third group is Wisdom. Right Concentration belongs here and is basically clarity of one’s thoughts. It can be considered a clearing out of one’s “baggage”. Right Concentration is what leads to the four stages of Dhyana, which is a state one reaches by meditation. The first stage of Dhyana is where the unwholesome thoughts are abandoned. In stage two, a “one-pointedness” of the mind develops, in which all mental activities are shut down but feelings of joy still remain. In the third stage feeling joy is discarded but the disposition of happiness remains along with an evenness of temper. In the fourth and final stage of Dhyana all other dispositions dissipate and only a certain mental composure and awareness remain. Right Thought is thinking only selflessly, filling thoughts with love and non-violence. Lastly is Right Understanding. Here we are instructed to understand things as they are, which is the understanding of the Four Nobel Truths. This level of understanding is the highest level of Ultimate Reality.

Buddhism is a form of philosophy that was started around the 5th century B.C.E. by a wealthy man named Sidhartha Gautama. For almost the first 30 years of his life he was very sheltered and never lived outside the walls of his home. When he finally did venture out he found the world was full of suffering. This new realization was very unsettling for Sidhartha and he devoted his life to the search for the solution of suffering. He looked for this answer in two extreme ways of treating one’s self. He first lived a life of affluence by lavishing himself with everything he desired, but still he found suffering. He then practiced self-mortification and with held everything from him self and nearly died. He studied incessantly but still found no answer, until one day he found himself under the Bo-tree, or the Tree of Enlightenment. He meditated and did not stir until he found the answer to overcoming suffering. After this he was known as Buddha.

Ethical conduct is based primarily on the concept of universal love and compassion for all living things. Right Speech falls into ethical conduct and is the practice of refraining from slanderous gossip, idle or useless talk, impolite or abusive language and living. Buddha tells us is we cannot say anything nice we should keep “noble silence”. Right livelihood also fits into ethical conduct. This says that one should not make a living through a profession that may bring harm to another, like by selling guns and weapons. Living a kind, compassionate and a life full of wisdom is Right Action, which also fits into ethical conduct. To be consistent with Right Action, we should not destroy life in any form, not steal, or partake in illegitimate sexual intercourse, and that, most importantly; we should help others to live a life of peace and honor.

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