Reply #13: I got that.

[optimal-tomato]

But, maybe it's my fault for reading too much into it, I always saw the Allegory of the Cave as introductory material to get people to question the world of the senses (shadows), and open one's mind to concepts of a "real world" beyond our direct observation. Again, it's been my interpretation that Plato hoped that people would consider their perspective as permanent prisoners, but that we may gain insight from Plato and other "escaped prisoners" about the immaterial world of perfection beyond the material world. It's been a while, but I think it was referred to as the Realm of Forms.

You're absolutely right that he doesn't say this overtly in the Cave Allegory. It's just been my interpretation based on his other teachings.