Ancient Greeks Flashcards
Rationalist
Someone that bases all knowledge on use of human reason
Empiricist
Someone that bases all knowledge on sense experience and observation of the world
What are the chains in the analogy of the cave
The empirical senses in the phenomenal world that restrain us from experiencing the world of forms
Who is the philosopher in the cave analogy
The man who escapes and journeys out the cave through use of reason to experience the world of forms.
What is the world inside the cave like
The prisoners see shadows but these aren’t real as the prisoners are deceived by their senses, this is the material world which is only a partial reality.
What is the world outside the cave like
The superior real world with 3D shapes in colour as all the forms can be seen this is the world of forms
What is the form of the good and what does it do in the cave analogy
It is the sun and illuminates all other forms allowing them to be seen
World of appearances
Our world in which things appear real but aren’t permanent so decay and change, particulars in our world are only imitations of the forms these are imperfect and mutable. Can be experienced with the senses
World of forms
The real world as reality doesn’t change where the forms are perfect, immutable, eternal reflections of particulars in ideal form. Can be understood through reason.
Anamnesis
The soul remembering the forms from its time in the world of forms to gain true knowledge, this can be done through reason.
Actuality to potentiality example
Kettle is cold in actuality but has potential to be hot if turned on
Material cause
The matter or substance of something. Silver of a silver ring.
Efficient cause
The process of something coming into existence. Silversmith who made the silver ring.
Formal cause
The shape and characteristics to tell how it is known what something is. Silver ring is circular with a hole in the middle.
Final cause
Describes the telos or purpose of the object. Silver ring is to be worn as an accessory or for an occasion like a marriage.
How is an object good for Aristotle
If it fulfills it’s innate purpose, a knife if it cuts something is good
How is an object good for Plato
The object participates somewhat in the form of the good which is the ideal concept of goodness.
What is Plato’s reason for the prime mover as the ultimate final cause
Universe experiences continuous change in rotations of the planets, the reason for this change is the prime mover because it draws all things towards itself as all things purpose in the world is desire for the perfection of the prime mover.
Why does Aristotle call the prime mover god
It has pure actuality and pure goodness, it only knows and contemplates itself and it’s own perfection.
Aristotle strengths
- Explains change as good and reason behind it through four causes and the prime mover
- Empiricism for knowledge as a posteriori as knowledge of what to do like survival
- Formal cause helps to identify
- Gives everything a purpose
Aristotle weaknesses
- Moves to rationalism in the prime mover
- Four causes can’t be found for concepts
- Fallacy of composition
- Humans give objects their purpose so no external purpose
- Bertrand Russell universe is just there
Plato strengths
- Senses are deceiving shown by pencil in water and the cave analogy, reason is better
- Recognise concepts like beauty as participate in the world of forms
- Explains change in our world as it is imperfect everything decays, so makes sense for real world
- Different opinions about what is good is reason being used ineffectively
- Shows why humans recognise same essential elements in something
Plato weaknesses
- Some change can be good like evolution
- Senses are reliable as they allows us to survive and learn
- Aristotles third man argument, infinite forms
- Forms could just be ideas preserved in peoples minds which die if not passed on
- Link between world of forms is unclear
- Evil things must have forms
Who argued in favour of the prime mover due to the evidence of finely tuned order in the universe
Flew
