1.1.4. plato and theory of forms

what is platos theory of forms attributed as?

his best known idea

what did plato recognise about the physical world? what q arose for him? what did he realise? what did he conclude?

- physical world = always changing, never stays same.

• static, solid objects = change - may not be immediatley visible to senses

• e.g. growing, decaying, warmer, cooling down etc.

- how can ppl attain true and certain knowledge, if objects they wanted to know about where never the same from 1 moment to the next?

- realised physical world things = never be objects of completely true knowledge

- there r o/ realities of which we can have certain knowledge - always same, eternal, not part of this world (different world)

• these realities = concepts, which plato calls ‘forms’ or ‘ideas’

how do we gain true knowledge?

through reason

physical world things that we learn through experience by our 5 senses…

physical world things that we learn through experience by our 5 senses ARE limitations and examples of their ideal form

give an example for this statement: an physical world thing that we learn through experience by our 5 senses that IS an limitation and example of their ideal form.

E.G some1 doing an act of justice- we recognise it as justice because we know what ‘true justice’ really is as a concept and we realise that human example of justice we are witnessing is not perfect justice because in this changing world, nothing = perfect.

but bc we realise its not perfect demonstrates that we have an inner understanding of ‘ideal justice’ or ‘the form of justice’

physical world, we see objects that r circular (plates, clocks etc.) …

• but none are perfect circle

• even if we draw them v/ precisely - imperfections (bumps, unevenness, thickness of line)

• mathematically, perfect circle circumference = made up of an infinite no. of points (arranged in a specific way) - perfect, points have no size or shape - just locations - doesnt take up any physical space! (there’s no e.g. smudging or inconsistency = perfect)

• but when we try and rep. in physical world (e.g. drawing it), we have to use physical materials like ink or pencil which DO take up space - therefore, always subject to change & decay

• so, any physical circle = always imperfect copy/ reflection of perfect form of circle

what is the physical world full off? why do we recognise things for what they are?

• physical world is full of imperfect imitations

• recognise things for what they r only bc of our knowledge of forms

what are physical things (e.g. tree) which are available to senses in comparison to the perfect concept or form of the thing (form of the tree)? why?

• INFERIOR

• because the physical thing (tree) is undergoing a process of change

give 3 reasons why the form of (e.g. form of the tree) is better than the physical (tree):

• form of tree = eternal

• doesn’t depend on physical circumstances for its existence

• form of tree can be object of true knowledge, even tho physical tree cannot

what does plato believe forms are (3), so what does it make them and why?

plato believed forms = perfect, unchanging and eternal - so more real than temp, physical things around us because they dont change

what is the only reason physical material things exist? give an example.

the only reason physical material things exist is bc they reflect or ‘participate in’ the perfect form

• E.G. a tree = a tree because it shares/ participates in form of the tree, but it is still an imperfect and temporary version of the real tree (the form of tree)