Plato - the Divided Line Flashcards
Draw out the DL’s sections
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Purpose of the Line
A visual metaphor for Plato’s ontological and epistemological view of the Universe.
To determine what is knowledge.
Explain knowledge in regards to the Line.
Let us take Ideal Beauty.
One who can see Ideal Beauty but see things which share in its character distinctly - one who can distinguish between the particular and universal - is in a state of knowledge.
Knowledge is existent; knowledge can only be of something real.
Being fixed on Reality; has knowledge of the Forms , truly deserves the title philosopher.
Explain belief in regards to the Line.
Let us take Ideal Beauty.
One who sees beautiful things but is unable to see the essential nature of Beauty itself may not even consider there is a Form of Beauty. This man exists in a state of belief.
Belief is necessarily non-existent; belief is therefore in objects of ignorance, things that don’t exist (sensible).
Being fixed on sensible particulars is said to be in a state of belief.
Hierarchy of Reality
KIBS
Knowledge
Intelligible world
Belief
Sensible world
What exists as knowledge?
Intelligence
Pure thought [archai]
Mathematical reasoning [mathematika]
What exists as the intelligible world?
Pure forms
Mathematical ideas.
What exists as belief?
Opinion
Illusion [eikasia]
What exists as the sensible world?
Sensible objects
Images and shadows [eikones]
Section of the mind and epistemology? Left side.
Knowledge and belief
Section of the the world and ontology? Right side.
The intelligible and physical world?
Greek for physical world?
Doxasta
Greek for belief?
Doxa
Greek for illusion?
Eikasia
Greek for pure thought?
Archai
