PLATO VS ARISTOTLE Flashcards
what is Plato’s argument for recollection
we have the idea of perfect equality. If so, we must have encountered it in another life
We have the idea of perfect equality. This is plausible because…
We can recognise what things would be like if they were perfect and we can acknowledge when things do not hit that mark. For example we can identify differences between identical twins or in theory all humans are supposed to be perfectly equal but we see that inequalities still arise.
If so, we must have encountered it in a different life. This is plausible because
If we have not encountered it in this life but we have the idea of perfect equality we must have gotten our idea from elsewhere if it does not exist in the life we are in.
What is the argument that forms are more real than particulars
Originals are more real than their copies. If so, then the forms are more real than particulars
Originals are more real than their copies this is plausible because…
It can be demonstrated through a number of different examples like an object is more real than it’s shadow or a person is more real than their picture.
If so, forms are more real than particulars
This is plausible because particulars are imperfect copies of the forms. If particulars are mere copies of the originals which are forms then the forms are more real than their copies
What is Aristotle’s objection to recollection
We can get the idea of equality from abstraction
If so, we don’t also need to get it from the forms.
we can get the idea of equality from abstraction. This is plausible because..
We use abstraction in many different cases. for example, if we see different objects and shapes that are green we will discard the differences in shape or object and abstract the fact that they were all green, likewise If we often experience things that appear as equal we would be able to abstract the idea of equality
If so, we don’t also need to get it from the forms. This is plausible because..
If we get our idea from abstraction it would be unnecessary to also get our idea from the forms
What is Aristotle’s objection towards plato’s forms
In order to understand anything, we have to understand its efficient cause
If so, Plato’s forms do not help us understand the world around us
In order to understand anything, we have to understand its efficient cause.
This is plausible because the efficient cause tells us how things change or come into existence which contributes to our overall understanding of particular things.
If so, Plato’s forms do not help us understand the world around us
