Plato's allegory of the cave in the digital era of the internet, web 2.0 applications, social networks and second life - An educational, political and social interpretation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper discusses the lessons learnt from an analysis and interpretation of Plato's Allegory of the Cave in the context of modern society dominated by technological advances and more specifically by the wide spread use of the Internet and Web 2.0 applications. The Internet is portrayed herein as the liberator of the prisoner who untied from the time and space chains in the cave is allowed to face the real world. The paper also presents some lessons learnt from interpretations with regards to education, mass media, politics and social life, viewed from current perspectives. It finally argues that the "virtual world" created by computer-based simulated environments where on-line communities are formed and flourish with social networks, virtual and augmented reality applications such as Second Life, is really part or the real world and thus the terms "digital world" and "simulated world" are more appropriate to describe these new ways of real life (of consensus reality).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the IADIS International Conference ICT, Society and Human Beings 2012, Proceedings of the IADIS International Conference e-Commerce 2012
Pages137-141
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 2012
EventIADIS International Conference ICT, Society and Human Beings 2012, IADIS International Conference e-Commerce 2012, Part of the IADIS Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems 2012, MCCSIS 2012 - Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 21 Jul 201223 Jul 2012

Other

OtherIADIS International Conference ICT, Society and Human Beings 2012, IADIS International Conference e-Commerce 2012, Part of the IADIS Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems 2012, MCCSIS 2012
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisbon
Period21/07/1223/07/12

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