Plato Flashcards
what question does plato focus on?
how is knowledge acquired?
what is the allegory of the cave
- prisoners chained facing wall
- there’s fire in middle, shadows cast on wall
- 1 prisoner unchained bring outside of cave
- first blinded, then starts seeing and understanding things, then finally sees sun
- goes back to cave to tell friends what he saw, prisoners mock him, even think about killing him, so he stays in cage
what is the point of the allegory of the cave
to teach the process of education, which is to know content learning; you need
1) motivation from outside source that eventually has you enjoy learning and delivers
2) conversion of the whole person that changes way of thinking
what does plato use to explain process of education further
metaphor of the divided line
what is the metaphor of the divided line (bigger picture)
forms | intelligence
mathematical objects | thinking
things | belief
images | imagining
What is the lowest level of divided line and what does it explain
images->imagining; we see how something appears
the second lowest level of divided line, what does it explain
things->belief; when we see real things, don’t have all information, so try to fill in blanks to fully understand/make sense of the subject
the second highest level of divided line, what does it explain
mathematical objects->thinking; relate different objects with similar characteristics together for reference; eg. water bottle, pencil case = cylindrical objects PARTICULARS TO UNIVERSALS
the highest level of divided line, what does it explain
forms(true knowledge)->intelligence; the essence of what something is in which it exists, FORMS ARENT ON THIS PLANET
similarities of lowest levels of divided line
do with VISABLE
similarities of highest levels of divided line
intelligible “able to be thought about
what is the soul according to plato
a tripartite element that is part of human form
what are the three parts of the soul
reason, spirit, appetite
what are the three parts of the soul analogous to
a chariot and the 2 horses
what is appetite
desire for physical things
if appetite controlled soul, what would happen
push elf to do what you want all the time
what is the bad horse symbolic of
appetite
what is spirit
ACTION/drive towards something
if spirit controlled the soul, what would happen
would constantly work toward something without a goal/just reactive
what is the good horse symbolic of
spirit
what is reason
allows us to be goal-oriented
if reason controlled the soul, what would happen
allows spirit and appetite to be in check, guide the two AND have a goal/knowledge AKA forms
what is the charioteer symbolic of
reason
how does the soul relate to the real world, in plato’s mind
the ideal city
to plato what is justice
the harmony of soul
what does plato think of the body
it’s just a material that helps facilitate the soul
what are the three classes of people in the ideal city
aritisans, guardians/soldiers, and rulers
what do artisans represent and how does it relate to that?
Represent: Appetite
- artisans produces that satisfy our appetite
- if artisans controlled, would produce whatever want without any reason
- virue of temperance: medium point of both ends
what do guardians/soldiers represent and how does it relate to that?
represent: Spirit
- soldiers defend city
- if soldiers have no one to defend, will attack
- virtue of courage: ability to wisely act
what are the 4 virtues of Plato’s city
justice, wisdom, temperance, courage
what do rulers represent and how does it relate to that?
represent: Reason
- philosopher kings = learn philosophy, therefore, will know what city needs
- rulers = Philosopher Kings run city
- multiple rulers, 1 person might be ignorant
- virute of wisdom: wisdom to choose; perfecto to reason
where did plato think the forms were
not on earth
what are forms made up of
participate-things that resmeble og
eg. picture of painting
what does plato note about his ideal city
lived experience differs from ideal city, which can break down easilly
what does plato hate democracy
everyone’s voice is equally weighed -> believe citizens are ignorant
what is virtue according to plato?
-good/part of human BUT affect spirituality
