Free IQ tests (for fun)

http://www.iq-test.com/free-iq-test/

http://www.brainmetrix.com/free-iq-test/

http://www.iqtest.com/prep.html?test=final

http://www.funeducation.com/Tests/IQTest/IQ-Testing-A.aspx

Plato's Allegory of the Cave - Due Fri 12'8

In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, he describes a world where prisoners live chained in a cave. The puppeteers cast shadows on the wall and these shadows construct reality for the prisoners. One of the prisoners breaks free and leaves the cave. At first, he is blinded by the sun and apprehensive about the new world. The shadows in the cave had always seemed so real to him. After he has spent some time in this new world out in the light, he realizes that his entire existence has been controlled by others and he now knows the truth. Once he goes back into the cave to tell the other prisoners this, he finds that no one believes him or even understands him.

Reflect and respond to the following questions thinking about the following terms: sight, vision, blindness, truth, reality, illusion, light, and dark as it is appropriate.

1)  Who or what do you think the "caves" in our world might be?  Describe other "caves" in life in which people might be "imprisoned" or feel "imprisoned."

2)  If you were taken out of the cave (the only reality you knew), and placed in the light, would you want to go back into the dark where you felt safe and comfortable with the world you knew and understood or would you want to stay in the light where you might feel uncomfortable and even lonely because others can't see or understand what you have seen?  Explain.

3)  How is it possible that people can believe in an illusion and accept it as reality?  What could be the elements that prevent people from seeing the truth, or regarding "shadow" as the "truth"?

4)  Plato's allegory tells us that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?

5)  Describe an experience you have had in which something that looked true turned out to be false or something that looked false turned out to be true.

6)  What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?  In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things "shackle" the mind?