Prisoners Of Our Own Belief example essay topic

Are we or are we not the prisoner or our own conceptions? In the cave allegory, Plato describes the human condition as a type of blissful ignorance. I agree with Plato that we are prisoners of our own belief. In this essay, I describe my own opinions and issues to answer some of the questions. The first question that I would like to discuss is, Are we prisoners to our own beliefs and notions of truth? I believe that we are prisoners to our own beliefs because since childhood different beliefs and notions of truth have been imposed on me through family, friends, and society.

After being an adult, even though I came to find out that many of these beliefs are not real, it makes me wonder sometimes if it were real, would I be any happier. For instance, when I was child, my family told me that Santa Clause is real and will make my wish come true on Christmas. For years I believed that Santa was real and every Christmas the gifts I received were from Santa. Eventually at the age of eight, I realized that there is no such thing as Santa and the gifts I was receiving were from my family and friends.

I still remember that for next couple years I believed in Santa and his gifts. Another good example is when a person believes that their wish will come true when they see a shooting star. However, I know making a wish while seeing a shooting star has no importance, yet, I believe in it because that is something I have always done since childhood with my family and friends. It is believed in my culture that there is something bad bound to happen when a black cat crosses in front of you. Even though I have experienced the situation before, luckily nothing has happened, as there is no basis to it. However, the thought of "something happening" has always crossed my mind.

All the above examples conclude that I am a prisoner to my own beliefs. Secondly, I would like to discuss whether people would be ignorant and happy then enlightened and possibly unhappy? I think most people will choose being ignorant and happy because happiness is the highest good man can achieve and everyone wants to be happy. As I mentioned previously I was happy when I was ignorant about Santa's existence. On the other side, when I was informed that Santa is unreal I was unhappy. One of the other instance that I remember is my twenty first-birthday party.

I had already figured out that my friends were throwing me a surprise birthday party. Seeing them organizing everything, I did not want to ruin their efforts and disappoint them. Hence, I pretended that I had no clue of what was going on and I was still happy to know that they are doing something for me even though it was not a surprise for me. This situation describes how ignorant and happy I was along with my friends. Also another good example would be, when a spouse figures out that their better half is cheating on them, it brings unhappiness and disappointment to them. So a lot of times couples like to be ignorant and be happy in situation like these, which I disagree with.

In a situation like this, I would rather be informed and be unhappy. Last but not the least, I would like to talk about if we really seek the truth, or merely that which is comforting? We as human beings are so used to the comforting environment around us, that we are scared to know the truth and the consequences of it with certain exceptions. According to me war on Iraq is a great example to answer this question. The main reason for us to go to this war was to search and disarm the weapons of mass destruction. But, my question is, were there weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to begin with?

As a citizen of United States, I supported the war because I trust our leaders with our safety and comfort. One could see that from the above mentioned examples, that I as a human being am so used to the comfort and environment around me that knowing or seeking the truth could result harmfulness. I have grown with many beliefs that it is hard to step out of it. Hence, I truly agree with Plato, as he describe in the cave allegory, that "We are prisoners to our own conception of truth and reality, which is distinct from (and often contrary to) ultimate truth and reality.".