But faith is also necessary. Immediately looking at the light makes the truth literally hurt. Most prisoners likely would shield their eyes and return to their painless illusions. More tragically, they would likely kill anyone insisting they turn around and try again. Inquiring faith is a university's lifeblood.
Students are the principal carriers.
Some of my students seek objects for belief, not tools for inquiry. But most of my students possess an inquiring faith. They initially appreciate the Ignatian ideal of education for personal growth and public benefit. Similarly, Plato's cave myth suggests how to both gain knowledge and educate social leaders to put it to use. Caves play an important role in the history of religion.