PLATO and the theory of Forms Flashcards
What did Plato say about the physical world ?
State of process and change
What did Plato think about the physical world is changing and nothing staying the same ?
It was a problem
why did Plato see the world changing as a problem ?
How can people attain true knowledge if the world is continuously changing
Plato says we can attain true knowledge but how ?
In a different world which is eternal and always the same
What is this eternal and unchanging world called ?
Theory of forms/ideas
According to Plato how do we gain true knowledge ?
Through reason
What did Plato distinguish between ?
Physical eternal world we perceive through our eyes and senses and an abstract world of perfect ideas or forms that can be accessed through the mind
Plato distinguishes between what world we perceive through our eyes and senses ?
Physical eternal world
According to Plato we distinguish between a physical eternal world that we perceive through what ?
Our eyes and senses
Plato ALSO distinguish between what world of perfect ideas/forms that can be accessed through the mind ?
Abstract world
In this abstract world what does it have that Plato distinguishes ?
Perfect ideas/forms
How can an abstract world of perfect ideas/forms be accessed that plato distinguishes ?
Through the mind
What did Parmenides
Appearance vs reality , believed changes were an illusion
What did Heraclitus believe ?
Believe things are changing/becoming
Where does copies of fixed perfect form reside in ?
Some transcendent realm
What world can knowledge be clearly be define in
The world of ‘being’
Why can knowledge be clearly defined in the world of ‘being’ ?
Because they are unchanging
Therefore because knowledge is unchanging , what is knowledge ?
Permanent
Where does Plato believe our souls enter ?
Enter the realm of forms before birth
What is phythagoras idea that we enter the realm of forms ?
Metempsychosis
Plato says we have what inside us and how do we access it ?
Knowledge inside us accessed through asking the right questions
Who did Plato believe in ?
Philosopher kings
Why did Plato believe in philosopher kings ?
Would be incorruptible with money and power
What did Plato not believe in ?
Democracy
Why did Plato not believe in democracy ?
Common person is corrupted by senses and cannot access true knowledge or forms
What society did Plato believe in ?
Totalitarian society
What would Plato ban ?
Art
Why would Plato ban art ?
False representation of forms ,**platonic state **
What is an imitation of a form called ?
Particular
Plato sees the physical world which we learn through what ?
Our experiences
What is an example of ideal form according to Plato ?
Using our senses as imitations and example
What is form of a circle ?
A perfect circle
What happens when you translate the same circle in the physical world ?
Lose its perfection
In a mathematical world what example does Plato use ?
2 + 2 always equals 4 and traingle always has 3 side
What do we have an intuition of ?
Form of beauty , form of beauty
why do we have an intuition of forms ?
Experienced them before we were born
What conclusion has Plato come with for forms ?
People have immoral souls who lived in realm of forms before born into the material world as physical human beings
How does plato describe the universe ?
Eternal , infallible realm of truth
