CAPSTONE PROMPT: PLATO’S CAVE ALLEGORY
Goals
- To demonstrate your understanding of the branch of philosophy known as metaphysics.
- To demonstrate your understanding of an influential metaphysical view, that of Plato.
- To analyze a primary philosophical text, “The Myth of the Cave” from Plato’s Republic.
Prompt
For this assignment, you will engage with one of the most influential texts in Western philosophy, Plato’s cave allegory from Book VII of the Republic (pp. 60-63). This assignment invites you to explore Plato’s profound insights into the nature of reality, challenging you to connect his metaphysical concepts with the enduring questions of existence and knowledge.
Reflect on Plato’s famous cave allegory in Book VII of the Republic. Explain how the myth of the cave represents Plato’s view of reality. Your essay should address the following questions:
- What is metaphysics? What questions does metaphysical inquiry try to answer?
- What is Plato’s theory of forms? What is Platonic dualism?
- How does the myth of the cave depict Plato’s two-realms concept of reality?
Your essay will need an introduction that includes the mandatory thesis statement (affirming that the cave allegory represents Plato’s two-realms concept of reality), body paragraphs that address sections two through four below, and a conclusion. Transitional phrases and a strong organizational structure will be required to unite these elements into a formal essay. Develop your essay so that you demonstrate mastery of the subject, and use support from the reading. Thoroughly review and edit your writing to ensure it is well-structured and free of errors.
AI Use-Case
Independent Work Requirement: You must complete this Capstone independently without using AI tools. The goal is for you to showcase your own understanding and skills without AI assistance. To do so, you are expected to generate and submit original work developed solely through your own reasoning and effort.
Core Requirements
- Length: 750-1000 words
- Format: Proper MLA header, title, and Works Cited page
- Citations: MLA format for citations and Works Cited
- Sources: At minimum, cite the eTextbook
- Structure: Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
Note: The MLA header, title, and Works Cited page do not count toward the overall word count. If your submission does not meet the word count requirement, you will earn a 0%.
Guide for Essay Structure
| Section | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Introductory section |
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| Section 2 |
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| Section 3 |
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| Section 4 |
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| Conclusion |
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Review the Academic Honesty and Integrity Lesson for a refresher on the use of and formatting of citations. At a minimum, you should cite the eTextbook. Remember to have the full MLA citation in the Works Cited page. You may use further sources if you wish, but it is not a requirement.
CAPSTONE RUBRIC: PLATO’S CAVE ALLEGORY
This rubric outlines how your essay will be evaluated. Each criterion is assessed on a scale from 0 points to 4 points.
| Criteria | % | 0 Points | 1 Point | 2 Points | 3 Points | 4 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory section (Provides summary; clearly states thesis) | 10% | No clear thesis statement; and/or no summary. | The thesis is unclear or the wrong thesis is used. The summary may be missing. | The thesis is attempted but may be unclear, or the wrong thesis is used. The summary is attempted but may be unclear. | The thesis is clear, but the wrong thesis may be used. The summary is present. | The thesis is clearly stated and the correct thesis is used. The summary is clearly stated and sets the context for the essay. |
| Section 2: What is metaphysics? | 20% | No questions in the section are clearly addressed, AND/OR No understanding of metaphysics is demonstrated. Claims are not supported with reasoning. There are no textual references. | One of four questions is addressed. OR Poor understanding of metaphysics is demonstrated. Few claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support is used inappropriately. | Two of four questions are addressed. OR Fair understanding of metaphysics is demonstrated. Most claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | Three of four questions are addressed. OR Mostly accurate understanding of metaphysics is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | All questions are addressed. A thorough understanding of metaphysics is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. If included, textual support is used appropriately. |
| Section 3: What is Plato’s metaphysical view? | 20% | No questions in the section are clearly addressed. AND/OR No understanding of Plato’s metaphysics is demonstrated. Claims are not supported with reasoning. There are no textual references. | One of four questions is addressed. OR Poor understanding of Plato’s metaphysics is demonstrated. Few claims are supported with reasoning. OR There are no textual references. | Two of four questions are addressed. OR Fair understanding of Plato’s metaphysics is demonstrated. Most claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | Three of four questions are addressed. OR Mostly accurate understanding of Plato’s metaphysics is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | All questions are addressed. A thorough understanding of Plato’s metaphysics is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. Textual support is used appropriately. |
| Section 4: How the cave allegory depicts Plato’s metaphysical views? | 20% | No questions in the section are clearly addressed. AND/OR No understanding of the cave allegory as it relates to Plato’s metaphysical views is demonstrated. Claims are not supported with reasoning. There are no textual references. | One of four questions is addressed. OR Poor understanding of the cave allegory as it relates to Plato’s metaphysical views is demonstrated. Few claims are supported with reasoning. OR There are no textual references. | Two of four questions are addressed. OR Fair understanding of the cave allegory as it relates to Plato’s metaphysical views is demonstrated. Most claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | Three of four questions are addressed. OR Mostly accurate understanding of the cave allegory as it relates to Plato’s metaphysical views is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. OR Textual support may not be used appropriately. | All questions are addressed. A thorough understanding of the cave allegory as it relates to Plato’s metaphysical views is demonstrated. All claims are supported with reasoning. Textual support is used appropriately. |
| Conclusion | 10% | There is no conclusion. | The conclusion is present but unclear. | The conclusion is attempted and mostly clear. | The conclusion is clear but may lack sufficient summary. | The thesis is restated and the conclusion is sufficiently summarized. |
| Organization (Clear logical organization; smooth transitions) | 10% | The paper is poorly organized and/or lacks transitions. | The paper may be somewhat organized but lacks transitions. | The paper is organized but transitions are not smooth. | The paper is mostly well-organized; some transitions may be missing. | The paper is well-organized, with clear and smooth transitions. |
| Writing Quality (language use, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, MLA formatting) | 10% | Writing quality greatly detracts from the essay. Contains many errors throughout. | Writing quality is poor and detracts from the essay. Contains errors throughout. | Writing quality is fair throughout and may contain errors. | Writing quality is good. Contains few errors throughout. | Writing quality is very good. Contains only very minor or no errors throughout. |
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