Plato Flashcards
Theory of the Forms
Believed in a reality behind the material world that he named the realm of the forms which contained eternal and immutable ideas. The material world consists of particulars which are constantly changing and are imperfect imitation of the Forms. Particulars participate in the A priori, universal Form, meaning that Forms are the essences of various objects: they are that without which a thing would not be the kind of thing it is. For example, there are countless tables in the world but the Form of tableness is at the core; it is the essence of all of them. There are a limited number of Forms which Plato feels are necessary and can’t have knowledge without them.
Qualities of The Forms
A Priori Objective thing in itself unseen intelligible principle independent from particulars ideal/perfect universal aspatial (transcendent to space) atemporal (transcendent to time)
Qualities of Particulars
Images Reflections imperfect Sensible A Posteriori
4 Criticisms of Theory of the Forms
If consider human knowledge as based on experience then can never fully understand forms (unintelligible)
If forms by definition ‘A Priori’ means there is no evidence for their existence so possible they are just an illusion so A Priori is forms greatest strength and greatest weakness
Plato can never satisfactorily explain the forms as every explanation is A Posteriori
Example of a Form and chain down from it
The Form of beauty
The Concept of Beauty
Individual beautiful entities/particulars (flower, human)
Imitations of beautiful entities (painting, drawing)
Summary of Allegory of the Cave to present his theory on epistemology
1) People would believe that shadows of the objects were reality and whole truth: ‘alethes’ ignorance and improper knowledge
2) have to take irridations (steps) of reality to get closer to the real truth
3) won’t understand anything and hesitation as prefer comfort and familiarity of shadows
4) may reach puppets and mistakenly assume they are the summation of reality
5) Once outside will see and recognise reflections and shadows and comforting as in state of denial
6) Final acceptance of full truth and summation of reality as becomes intelligible
7) On return to inform other prisoners of new found truth they ridicule him and assume he is mad, freed prisoner can no longer see shadows as having been exposed to light can’t adjust eyes to darkness.
What is ‘Doxa’
What is ‘alethes’
Greek terms
- common belief ‘A Posteriori’ and what particulars give us so lacks authenticity as foundation inadequate
- belief that particulars or images are whole truth (ignorance)
3 Criticisms of Allegory of the Cave
Mimetic fallacy: If explaining something with a copy you are fundamentally not explaining it so Allegory of the Cave is flawed as uses sensible to represent/symbolise the intelligible so could go further and further (infinite regress) as haven’t reached ideal form.
The process of understanding new and higher forms of reality and truth could potentially be eternal as no way of saying at which stage one has reached summation of reality so leads to infinite regress and circular reasoning.
Question of how we start and continue on this path to enlightenment as exists in realm beyond normal human perceptions
Symbolism of Allegory of the Cave
Demonstrates mind’s assent to intelligible realm of forms
Cave=physical world and shadows and puppets=particulars and images of particulars
Prisoners and chains=ignorance and ‘alethes’
Prisoner works out shadows from puppets through process of reasoning to work out shadows aren’t highest form of reality - may assume puppets are summation but we know not true and just images
Dark cave to light outside- take some time to adjust to brightness and comforted by shadow and reflection shows how takes time to accept new reality and may be in denial for some time
Final stage when he sees real thing (e.g. real horse) shows acceptance of forms and sees sun as source
Plato’s divided line metaphor
Greek terms for each stage
Represents Plato’s belief in dualism (2 types of reality: sensible/physical and intelligible/non-physical). Along line are gradations of understanding and have a hierarchy. Lowest form ‘D’ is subsection of images or ‘Eikasa’ meaning illusion e.g. shadows and is sensible so relies on empirical evidence. Above is ‘C’ which are originals of D and are physical/ sensible objects e.g. human body called ‘Pistis’ meaning belief. Between ‘C’ and ‘B’ move across line which divides sensible from intelligible. ‘B’ is A Posteriori so derived from physical so not highest form of understanding, called ‘Dianoia’ and reliant on ‘C’ to be knowable. Highest is ‘A’ and A Priori so relies on first principles rather than sensible knowledge. Requires full understanding of forms and named ‘Noesis’ meaning intelligence.
In Allegory what is the Sun symbolic of?
The Form of the Good/Forms- Plato believed 3 elements needed for true knowledge which are the individual, the particular and the Form of the Forms. Form of the Forms enables us to come to know the forms and is not knowledge itself but the enabler of knowledge. Both higher and equal to forms as it is in realm of the forms yet also used to understand forms. Preventing infinite regress dilemma, form of forms is itself its own form so enables it to be highest possible form of understanding. In the allegory the sun is in the intelligible realm and source of light to see the forms so provides knowledge and truth.
What else is necessary for knowledge of the forms
Recollection and dialectic - The Meno, Socrates says ‘there is no such thing as teaching only recollection’ showing how process of realising forms is to regain knowledge we had previously rather than finding out new knowledge.
Before being born our souls existed in realm of the forms and so had clear understanding of forms yet forgot them once entering physical world. Plato presents dialectic as means of recollection shown through conversation between Socrates and uneducated slave boy where someone with higher understanding helps draw someone out of cave. Dialectical investigation with its constant questioning can lead the inquiring mind towards clues, encouraging them to realise them for themselves without just telling them ensuring it is a process of recollection.
Body and Soul in Plato
Believed in Mind-body dualism - metaphysical mind/soul and physical body.
Immortal soul exists before and after body dies in realm of forms. Believed our time on Earth just a shadow of higher spiritual reality and our physical body traps and restricts soul from reaching higher plane (realm of forms).
Allegory used by Plato to demonstrate his idea of the soul
‘Allegory of the Charioteer’ - tripartite soul
charioteer: reason
ignoble horse: appetite
noble horse: will
Noble horse wants to fly upwards to realm of forms and Ignoble horse can’t fly well so desires to be earthly and physical. Charioteer governs both horses and mediates to enable interaction between horses. Ensures soul drives line in between heaven and earth as if we stray too far either way the soul will be lost. If only understand forms won’t know any particulars so can’t relate it to life on earth and if just know physical will be ignorant and won’t have higher understanding.
Name of Plato’s writings (x4)
The Republic - explains his epistemology
The Meno - dialectic between Socrates and Slave Boy to demonstrate recollection
Allegory of the Cave
Allegory of the Charioteer
