Studied by 0 people
A Priori knowledge
Relating to what can be known through an understanding of how certain things work rather than by observation
Theory of the forms
Platos theory that everything on earth is an inferior copy o ideal forms in a perrmenant spiritual reality. Thus there are forms not only of subjects such as tables and chairs, it also concepts such as beauty or number. The highest form is the form of good
The form of good
The form of good is the ultimate object of knowledge; it is only once one grasps the form of good that one reaches the highest grade of understanding
Empiricism
Theory that all knowlage is based on experience derived from the senses
Telos
The reason for the use or existence of an object or creature
Unmoved mover or prime mover
Concept advanced by Aristotle as a primary cause or “mover” of all the motion in the universe
Strength of plato’s theory of forms
Brian Davies argued that the analogy of the cave helps to illustrate the theory f forms. It has been a powerful analogy through history to help people to understand the relationship between the divine and the human
Strength of plato’s theory of forms
Stephen Evans argues that plato offers a rational argument for the existence of another reality. This provides people with the hope that the material world isn’t all that exists and we can then look toward the world of forms as a more perfect form of existence (similar to belief in an afterlife)
Strength of plato’s theory of forms
Platos theory is appealing as it offers a logical and reasonable theory concerned with the idea that there are universal concepts. Scholars such as Kant acknowledged the existence of absolutes. This is the belief that certain actions are intrinsically good or bad e.g., beauty or truth, ideas that everyone has knowledge of independent of experiencing these things physically. In addition, Plato is arguing that there are universal absolute truths that have always existed. Mathematical concepts such as addition (2+2=4) see to be true irrelevant of any empirical evidence.
Strength of plato’s theory of forms
Bryan Magee argues that platos theory of the forms and his analogy of the cave encourages people to seek enlightenmentt rather than being caught up with the material world. He says “the theory that there is another world than this… gives value and meaning to our present world…”
Strength of plato’s theory of forms
Some scholars have argued that Plato offers an effective argument as to why evil and suffering exists in the world. The material world is not the perfect world therefore, it is the actions of material beings that cause evil and suffering. Thus Plato’s ultimate reality is not responsible for evil and suffering.
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
David Hume and Richard Dawkins would argue that Plato’s ideas about the physical world are counterintuitive. This means that it flies in the face of common sense to say that the world around us is an illusion- it seems so real!! In fact the physical realm has empirical evidence to back up its existence. Dawkins would argue that any talk of the ‘Transcendent’ is meaningless
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
If you have a form of a form, or an ideal form of forms (like the form of good), then what’s stopping you from having an ideal form of that ideal form? And it snowballs from there. This argument is called infinite regression - it goes on forever backwards. Plato achnowlaged this problem in one of his dialogues. If everything is a copy of some previous ideal athan it must have to have a copy
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
Empiricists such as the logical positives would question: what about opinion? Some people argue here is no such absolute value as ‘good’, ‘beauty’ or ‘justice’ as it is subjective; people have their own opinion as to what is good. Therefore, it is unlikely that 2 people will always come to the same conclusion about what is good. Therefore, Plato seems to be incorrect in suggesting that there is an ideal form of goodness, beauty and justice.
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
Empiricists such as Locke and Russell argue that it is not logical to say that there is a world we cannot see. Therefore, the theory may not be an obvious conclusion of logical reasoning. Plato argued that our reason (human intellect to work out what is real). They would argue that reality is based on sensory evidence and not reason. Mel Thompson argues that the world presented in the analogy of the cave is not reflective of the world we inhabit. In this sense both the analogy and theory are ineffective.
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
Plato says that the senses are inferior, and that w should not rely on them. Yet people have been relying on their senses for survival for thousands of years. For example, our 5 senses are vital in helping us to gain a fuller and better understanding of the role in which we live
Weaknesses of Plato’s Theory of the forms
Plato is not clear how the world of forms relates directly to our world. Do the forms have to relate to a specific veritable of material object? For example, does the form of a cat have to relate to a specific breed of cat? Is there a particular form for each breed? Furthermore, it is unlikely that everything in existence has an ideal form. Is there an ideal slug or type of cancer? As Plato does not fully explain his theory of the forms it is difficult to accept the value of money.
Different approaches to philosophy
Plato - Emphasising the world of ideas and reason as the source of knowledge
Aristotle - emphasising the physical world and experiences as the basis of knowlage
Differences between Plato and Aristotle
Aristotle emphasises the value of studying the physical world. His approach is empirical, and he is not as concerned with he world of the forms
Aristotle rejected Plato’s theory of forms, partly because the relationship between forms and objects in the material world was never explained
The material cause
The firs cause referees to the matter or substance that something is made of - eg., a book is made from paper. Aristotle said that materials always have the potential for change. Just imagine you left a table outside for years in all types of aether. When you came back to it, the material of the table would have changed. The materials represent the impertinence of our world.
The efficient caus
Note
Flashcard