Plato Flashcards
What is Plato’s Theory of Forms?
Plato’s Theory of Forms posits that there are two worlds: the material world and the eternal world or the World of the Forms.
What is the material world according to Plato?
The material world consists of physical objects and is experienced through our senses, known as the World of Appearances.
What is the nature of the material world?
The material world is in a constant state of change, making it impossible to know its true reality.
How does Plato define true knowledge?
For Plato, true knowledge is a priori knowledge, based on reason alone and not derived from sense experience.
What is the World of the Forms?
The World of the Forms is accessed through reason and consists of perfect, eternal, and immutable concepts or ideals.
How do we recognize imperfections according to Plato?
We recognize imperfections because we can remember the perfect ideal or Form of a concept, such as beauty.
What does the analogy of the cave represent?
The analogy of the cave contrasts those who mistake the physical world for truth with those who see the truth through reason.
What happens to the prisoner who is set free in the cave analogy?
The freed prisoner struggles to adjust to the light, illustrating the initial confusion that comes with philosophical questioning.
What does the sunlight represent in the cave analogy?
The sunlight represents true knowledge and the Form of the Good, which enlightens the philosopher’s mind.
What is the hierarchy of Forms?
The hierarchy of Forms is divided into the World of Forms at the top, with the Form of the Good being the highest, followed by concepts like Justice and Beauty.
What are the criticisms of Plato’s Theory of Forms?
Critics argue that Forms may not exist in the material world, question the existence of perfect Forms, and challenge the distinction between the two worlds.
What are the material objects and opinion in the World of Appearance?
They are gained through believing the senses.
What is the Form of the Good?
The Form of the Good is the ultimate Form, the most important of all the Forms.
How is the Form of the Good represented in the Analogy of the Cave?
It is represented by the sun, which gives light to the world and enables us to see objects.
What does the Form of the Good illuminate?
It illuminates the mind and enables us to know the Forms.
What does the sun cause in relation to visibility?
The sun causes things to be seen; the Form of the Good causes the forms to be intelligible.
What is the relationship between the Forms and the Form of the Good?
All the Forms participate in the Form of the Good and share goodness.
What does Plato suggest about good actions in relation to the perfect Good?
Any good action in this world is a pale reflection of the perfect Good.
What is the ultimate end according to the Form of the Good?
The ultimate end in itself is goodness.
What analogy does Plato use in the Dividing Line?
He uses another analogy to depict the hierarchy of the Forms and the two worlds, based on ratios.
What is a criticism regarding the existence of perfect concepts?
It may be reasonable to accept there are perfect concepts such as justice, but they may exist only in the realm of language.
What is the Third Man argument?
It questions whether there are different forms for different breeds of dog or only one original concept of ‘dog’.
What is a challenge to Plato’s claim about a priori knowledge of Good?
If knowledge of ‘Good’ is a priori, why might two philosophers disagree over what goodness actually is?
What contradiction exists in Plato’s view of philosophers as Guardians?
It seems contradictory because politics is part of the world of sense perception, which is only the object of opinion.
What is a limitation of rationalism according to the text?
Rationalism is not always successful; we cannot live without our senses.
Why do we need to rely on our senses?
We learn from using our senses, such as avoiding a hot oven because our senses warn us through pain.
What influence has Plato had on philosophy?
Plato has had a great influence on philosophy; ‘all Western philosophy is footnotes to Plato’ (A.N. Whitehead).
What dualism is associated with Plato’s philosophy?
The division of body and soul.
How is Plato’s theory used in Christian theology?
It is used to discuss the existence of heaven and the body/soul distinction.
