Plato’s theory of the Forms in unconvincing (40)
Plan:
What is the theory:
Plato’s theory was a rationalist one meaning that true knowledge could only be achieved
through reason. He teaches in a dualistic sense where there is a material world flawed by its
unchanging nature ceasing to be a reliable source of knowledge. He offers the idea of the
world of forms where everything exists in perfect form, unchanging in nature existing
eternally. He believes everyone experiences instincts because our souls have a prior
knowledge of these form which enables us to recall the ‘particulars’ in the normal world for
what they are. it is this reasoning back to the souls prior knowledge that reinforces Plato’s
rationalism.
Arguments for the statement:
Many argue the theory of forms is unconvincing because there is no tangible evidence that
the world of forms exists and without any hardcore evidence Plato’s theory could rest on a
myth. David Hume argues that it is ignorant to believe a theory that is short of evidence as
‘a wise. Man proportions his belief to evidence and therefore many prefer Aristotle’s theory
of 4 causes as it rests on material evidence.
Intro:
- Plato’s understanding of the nature of realist= dualist perspective. The world we
currently live in is the physical world which is constant changing and therefore
imperfect and cannot be relied on.
- This introduces the idea of the Forms which he believes is where we go after we die
and contains the ideal ‘Form’ of everything but is exists outside of time and space. In
his opinion this world is eternal and transcendent.
POINT NUMBER 1: analogy of the cave and correlation to idea of forms
Establish the point
Explain by an analogy
Interpret meaning of analogy,
Criticise argument
Plato’s response
Concluding statement
- Plato establishes his theory through the analogy of the cave where he explores the
idea of a dual reality. It portrays prisoners living in the dark cave their whole lives
with their legs and head chained so they can only look forwards and are physically
restrained. There is a fire behind them where puppets are shown to them but all
they can see is the shadows of the puppets, so they think that is all there is. One
prisoner escape to see the real world and is at first blinded by the sun but when he
adjusts, he understands the true nature of the world, but when he returns to
enlighten the other prisoners he is met with resistance and ignorance as this
undermines what they thought was already true so they plot to kill him. Plato’s
analogy indicates that we humans are the prisoners living blindly in the cave (the
physical world) furthermore the prisoner who left the cave to discover the real world
Plan:
What is the theory:
Plato’s theory was a rationalist one meaning that true knowledge could only be achieved
through reason. He teaches in a dualistic sense where there is a material world flawed by its
unchanging nature ceasing to be a reliable source of knowledge. He offers the idea of the
world of forms where everything exists in perfect form, unchanging in nature existing
eternally. He believes everyone experiences instincts because our souls have a prior
knowledge of these form which enables us to recall the ‘particulars’ in the normal world for
what they are. it is this reasoning back to the souls prior knowledge that reinforces Plato’s
rationalism.
Arguments for the statement:
Many argue the theory of forms is unconvincing because there is no tangible evidence that
the world of forms exists and without any hardcore evidence Plato’s theory could rest on a
myth. David Hume argues that it is ignorant to believe a theory that is short of evidence as
‘a wise. Man proportions his belief to evidence and therefore many prefer Aristotle’s theory
of 4 causes as it rests on material evidence.
Intro:
- Plato’s understanding of the nature of realist= dualist perspective. The world we
currently live in is the physical world which is constant changing and therefore
imperfect and cannot be relied on.
- This introduces the idea of the Forms which he believes is where we go after we die
and contains the ideal ‘Form’ of everything but is exists outside of time and space. In
his opinion this world is eternal and transcendent.
POINT NUMBER 1: analogy of the cave and correlation to idea of forms
Establish the point
Explain by an analogy
Interpret meaning of analogy,
Criticise argument
Plato’s response
Concluding statement
- Plato establishes his theory through the analogy of the cave where he explores the
idea of a dual reality. It portrays prisoners living in the dark cave their whole lives
with their legs and head chained so they can only look forwards and are physically
restrained. There is a fire behind them where puppets are shown to them but all
they can see is the shadows of the puppets, so they think that is all there is. One
prisoner escape to see the real world and is at first blinded by the sun but when he
adjusts, he understands the true nature of the world, but when he returns to
enlighten the other prisoners he is met with resistance and ignorance as this
undermines what they thought was already true so they plot to kill him. Plato’s
analogy indicates that we humans are the prisoners living blindly in the cave (the
physical world) furthermore the prisoner who left the cave to discover the real world
