Ancient Influences Flashcards
does plato agree with a-priori or a-posteriori
a priori -
truth can only be understood by reason because our experiences cannot be trusted
who taught plato - why is this significant
socrates - was killed so in platos books he says socrates says these things but it may have been plato
word for imperfect imitations of forms
particulars
what did heraclitus say
everything is in a constant state of change
a man cannot step in the same river twice because both will have changed
how does Plato attempt to respond to the problem of constant change that Hericlitus brings up
that true knowledge cannot be gained empirically and must look to a-priori instead
how does Aristotle attempt to respond to the problem of constant change that Hericlitus brings up
can understand mechanism responsible for change and gain true knowledge from that
What does plato mean by there being a permanent truth
there must a similar unchanging truth about objects in our world – for example, if we examine
lots of chairs, we would see that despite their differences, there is something that they have in common.
how does plato explain abstract forms
Equally, there may be many beautiful things, and there is one thing they have in common – the Form or idea of beauty. These
ideas/ commonalities that we cannot easily define (such as beauty) actually do exist, according to Plato, as Forms.
explain the hierarchy of forms
top is form of good because by udnertsanding that you can do no wrong
then abstract ideas, then individudal objects such as chairs
what qualities should a ruler have, according to plato
a philosopher with understanding of the form of good - since they can do no wrong
how does artsitole criticise platos argument that knowing form of good makes you a perfect person
takes more than knowing something to be morally good - many ppl know that right thing to do but still ignore it
assumes all bad ppl r just ignorant but many criminals will repeat crimes even after prison
aristotle on the form of good
isnt logical
forms of good can be so diff - form of the good in military strategy is how to efficiently kill people, whereas the good in medicine is how to keep people alive
Aristotle takes this to mean that there cannot be one unified form of ‘goodness’.
what does the sun represent in platos cave
form of good
what does plato say to the criticism he has no evidence
good - doesnt bother him because he doesnt accept a-posteriori evidence
platos cave: when the enlightened man comes down, what do these prisoners rejecting him represent
- the way philosophers are mocked
could reference socrates death
mel thompson on platos cave
not an accurate portrayal of reality - our world is much more vibrant
positives on plato : davies
must be things like the form of good since we debate and discuss them
- unchanging morals
eval: but these are subjective !!
stephen law on plato
ridiculous for there to be forms on everything
how can it be a perfect place if there are forms on mud etc
explain Aristotles third man/infinite regress criticism of plato
If Plato argues we need the Forms to explain what objects have in common, then what is to stop us from asking what the Forms and Particulars have in common, thus requiring a third thing to explain that reality. Could go on infinitely, with no explanation of anything - fault of looking elsewhere for truth.
popper on plato
inductive leap of logic (hume) - should just accept world for what it is
general criticism of form of good
if there is one form of good why does everyone have such differing ideas of what is good
does plato or aristotle found the empirical method
A
what is the empirical method
making general claims using evidence purpose and logic
what can the four causes tell us
help to understand matter around us
what are the four causes
material
formal - qualities - shape/structure
efficient - means/agency by which it came into existence
final - purpose/telos
what is aristotles theory of the universe based on
telos !
explain teleology
everything in state of motion to fulfill telos
potentuality to actuality
state of cause and effect
how does the prime mover inspire change and movement
all things desire good and perfection
process of perfection is in direction of PM
attracts by sheer will like a cat to a saucer
what is the main quality of the prime mover - p… a…
pure actuality
hume on aristotles prime mover
universe can be a brute fact - no cause or final purpose
why is the prime mover not worthy of worship
is impassive, doesnt help
so much differant to abrahamic religions
why is the relationship between the prime mover and the world
doesnt explain how they interact if it is a spiritual realm
- cat and saucer is silly analogy - scent particles
bertrund russell on PM
fallacy of composition
criticism of final cause of objects
things may have a purpose but can be used for completely diff things
cricket bat for killing zombies
