In 2001, the Farrelly Brothers directed and produced a film called, Shallow Hal. The story revolves around Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the least physically appealing women. Hal falls for a woman, Rosemary (Gweneth Paltrow) that the world would likely feel does not meet the physical standards of beauty. However, due to Hypnosis, Hal sees Rosemary as a beautiful woman.

The film while a comedic take on several issues does raise a critical question about truth and one's obligation to truth even when the ignorance of objectivity produces happiness or contentment. After reading the Allegory of the Cave, and considering the larger metaphysical questions raised in Plato's work respond to the following questions as part of this discussion:

1. Are people under an obligation to free someone from perceived physical or metaphorical bondage, especially if doing so would result in a loss of contentment or innocence? What duty (if any) do Philosopher Kings have, to reveal truth, if it will in fact cause "damage" to the person?
2. Applying the principles raised in the Allegory of the Cave to our current political conditions, is the State obliged to provide honest and truthful discourse to those who are governed? Or does the interest in maintaining order, and security absolve the State of any duty to provide objective facts? Do you believe in the absence of objectivity offered by the state, it creates an opportunity for false narratives to be offered by the people?