Final answer:
Goldsworthy compares his work philosophically to the cyclic nature of Plato's Allegory of the Cave and the process of creation discussed in Timaeus, as well as the Vedic perspective of self-reflection leading to a universal understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Goldsworthy's work reflects on two main philosophical comparisons that are both cyclic in nature. The first comparison is between the concept of copy and shadow and Plato's Allegory of the Cave, which suggests that what we perceive as reality is but a shadow of the true forms.
The second comparison relates to the creation of all things 'according to the pattern', referring to Plato's demiurge from Timaeus, suggesting a cyclical creation process similar to the daily rebirth of Re, the Egyptian sun god. Another comparison is with the Vedic texts, where it's discussed that by reflecting on the self, one understands the universe, which shares a form with the self, emphasizing a cyclical understanding of life and cosmos.