Problem
Socrates uses two images in books VI and VII of the Republic to support his argument that philosophers are worthy of exercising political authority: the image (or "parable") of the ship (487e-489a) and the image (or "allegory") of the cave (514a-517a).
a) What is the image of the ship, and how does this image support Socrates' argument?
b) What is the image of the cave, and how does this image support Socrates' argument?