theory of forms
everything in the natural world is a manifestation of a pure form (idea) that exists in the abstract
reality consists of abstract ideas or forms that correspond to all objects
forms
pure, abstract realities that are unchanging and timeless and are knowable
ex. chairs, cats
1/39
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
theory of forms
everything in the natural world is a manifestation of a pure form (idea) that exists in the abstract
reality consists of abstract ideas or forms that correspond to all objects
forms
pure, abstract realities that are unchanging and timeless and are knowable
ex. chairs, cats
analogy of the divided line
there is a hierarchy of understanding
imagining is the lowest form of understanding because it is based on images
beliefs do not constitute knowledge
highest form of thinking involves embracing the forms themselves
true understanding or knowledge results from understanding an abstract form
→ “form of the good”
allegory of the cave
individuals who live their lives in accordance with the shadows of reality provided by sensory experience instead of according to the true reality beyond sensory experience
shadow = lowest form of understanding
imagine being in a cave and making your way out into the daylight
reminiscence theory of knowledge
knowledge is attained by remembering the experiences
knowledge is innate and attained by introspection
all knowledge comes from reminiscence
introspection
careful examination of one’s subjective experiences
inner understanding
Plato
forms existed independently of nature
ignore sensory experiences
turn inward to thoughts
rationalist
knowledge exists independent of nature
logic and mathematics
Aristotle
essences existed but become known by studying nature
sensory information more important
empiricism and rationalism
examine nature directly
nature and knowledge are inseparable
observation and classification
material cause
the kind of matter of which a thing is made
ex. the fence is made of wood
formal cause
particular form, or patter, of a thing
ex. given wood is in an arch
efficient cause
force that transforms the material thing into a certain form
ex. the energy of the builder
final cause
purpose for which a thing exists
ex. a fence built to keep an area secure
teleology
everything in nature exists for a purpose
entelechy
purpose for a thing, or its function
Scala naturae
nature is arranged in a hierarchy ranging from neutral matter to the unmoved mover
unmoved mover
this gives nature its purpose, or final cause, but was itself uncaused
vegetative (or nutritive) soul
possessed by plants, allows growth, intake of nutrition, and reproduction
sensitive soul
possessed by animals but not plants
responds to environment, experience, pleasure & pain, memory
rational soul
possessed only by humans
has the functions of other two souls
along with thinking or rational thought
sensation
first step in acquiring knowledge
senses provide information about the environment: sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell
perception was explained by motion of objects that stimulate the senses
our senses can give an accurate representation of environment
common sense
mechanism that coordinates the information from all the senses
located in the heart
passive reason
practical utilization of the information provided by the common sense
doesn’t result in understanding
active reason
highest form of thinking
understanding of principles, or essences, from synthesized sensory experiences
remembering
spontaneous recollection of something that has been previously experienced
recall
involves an actual mental search for a past experience
laws of association
laws thought responsible for holding mental events together in memory
laws of contiguity
when we think of something, we also tend to think of things we experienced at the time
law of similarity
when we think of something, we tend to think of things similar to it
law of contrast
when we think of something, we also tend to think of things that are its oppositel
law of frequency
the more often experiences occur together, the stronger their association will be
ex. thunder and lightning
ex. camping and campfire
associationism
belief that mental phenomena, such as learning, remembering, and imagining, can be explained in terms of the laws of association
Plato’s beliefs regarding the nature of the soul
had a rational component that was immortal
courageous → emotional or spirited
appetitive
humans live in a state of conflict
body has appetites (needs) that must be met and have a motivational role in daily life
have varied emotions
suppress the needs of the body and concentrate on rational pursuits
control impulses
Plato’s belief on sleep and dreams
individuals are unable to rationally control their appetites when asleep
Plato’s influence on the development of science
ideas of mathematics and logical inquiry have shaped science
divided the human into a body which was material and imperfect, and a mind (soul) which contained pure knowledge
imagination
pondering of the images retained from past experiences
Aristotle's beliefs on imagination and dreaming
sensations create memories that last beyond the experience
retention = memory
dreaming → images of past experiences, dreams are often activities we have recently engaged in
dreams may predict future events
golden mean
Aristotle
people are to avoid excesses and live a life of moderation
rational control of one’s appetites
ex. abstinence and self-indulgence
Aristotle’s view on motivation and emotion
human behaviour is motivated by appetites
action is directed at satisfaction
internal states
character is determined by ability to control
emotion provides a motive for acting
physis
primary element from which anything was made
elements: water, fire, earth, air
essence
That indispensable characteristic of a thing that gives it its unique identity.