analogy of the cave

a metaphor used by Plato to illustrate his contention that humans are only dimly aware of the true nature of things. Plato likened human life to the state of being imprisoned in a cave, with the world outside casting shadows on the cave walls: He contended that these shadows are all one actually experiences of the real world, which is timeless and ideal. See Platonic idealism; theory of forms. See also transcendentalism.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

cardiopulmonary bypass machine

a mechanical device that carries out the functions of the heart and lungs for short periods during surgery involving these organs. The machine collects blood from the veins before it reaches the heart and circulates it through a plastic chamber in which it is freshly oxygenated before being pumped back into the patient’s arteries.