Analyzing Platos Theory of Existence - 2089 Words

Platos Theory of Existence Introduction Plato (429-347 B.C.E) was a Greek philosopher and a mathematician. He is one of the prominent and powerful authors in philosophys history, and a scholar of Socrates. Through his teacher, Socrates, and his scholar, Aristotle, Plato assisted in laying down the western philosophy foundation. His theory of existence is highlighted in his dialogues. Plato portions existence into two, the transcendent sphere and the material sphere. He asserts that a person holds access to sphere of forms via reason and mind. This aspect offers an admission of human beings in a constant world that is safe from transformations and pains. Plato believed that reality comprises of two spheres. The first realm comprises of the physical world that people can observe through their common senses while the second is the world made from eternal perfect, which include ideas or forms. Plato theory of Form hypothesizes the subsistence of world or a reality level occupied through the archetypal or ideal forms of all con cepts and things. Therefore, a form subsists, for things like rocks and table and for ideas such as justice and beauty. The Theory of Forms In metaphysics of Plato, the level of being comprises of timeless essences or entitles referred to as forms. This metaphysics is referred to as transcendental given that it confirms that there is an existence plane beyond the ordinary subsistence (Soccio 128). Apparently, to transcend means to go far past toShow MoreRelatedPlato s Views On The Immortality Of The Soul1391 Words   |  6 PagesIn one of Plato’s famous dialogues Phaedo, Plato touches on some of the theories of Socrates that focus on the immortality of the soul. Plato explains four main arguments that attempt to prove that the soul is indeed immortal. After reviewing and analyzing the arguments given, I have come to the conclusion that Plato’s premises are not true. I believe that the arguments he offers are in some way invalid. In order to prove the validity of each discourse, I will evaluate each of the four argumentsRead MoreDifference in the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle and Their Influence.121 3 Words   |  5 Pagesknowledge acquisition; Plato’s Platonic Idealism and Aristotle’s Analytic Empiricism. In this paper, my objective is to identify the differences in the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, which lead to the development of two contradictory modes of knowledge acquisition and their influence on succeeding thinkers. Plato (428-328 BC) was a successful philosopher, influenced by people like Heraclitus, Parmenides, and the Pythagoreans: But, the most influential person in Plato’s life was Socrates (Nicholas)Read MoreAnalyzing Plato s Allegory Of The Cave874 Words   |  4 PagesI’ll be analyzing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave through my own interpretation. An allegory is defined as â€Å"a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.† In Plato’s Republic the short excerpt The Allegory of the Cave can be viewed through multiple perspectives. Plato’s image of the cave is known as the â€Å"theory of forms†¦ The theory assumes the existence of a level of reality inhabited by ideal â€Å"forms† of all things and concepts (Revelations:Read MoreAristotle s Theories Of Aristotle729 Words   |  3 PagesAristotle’s Theories Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher. He was born in 384 B.C in Stagira, Northern Greece. At an early age he went to study at Plato’s Academy. Aristotle was the student of Plato. However, Aristotle’s scientific approach was much different than Plato’s. Aristotle was known as teacher to famous Alexander the Great. Later on Aristotle opened his own school, the Lyceum at Athens. Aristotle is an important image because he is the father of Science. Aristotle had many contributionsRead MoreThe Form Of Truth : Plato s Theory Of Knowledge893 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscussion of the Divided Line and the allegory of the cave directly contributes and proves his theory of Forms and lie at the heart of his philosophy, which I think is convincing because of the extent of his discussions through experimental-based and direct evidence. Plato argued that true knowledge was not obtained through the knowledge of the physical world around us, but from these unchanging ideas. Plato’s theory of knowledge is well explained through his discussion of the Divided Line; a line dividedRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave1716 Words   |  7 PagesIn Plato’s, Allegory of the cave, a key theory I found was the importance of education. Plato uses an â€Å"allegory to illustrate the dilemma facing the psyche in the ascent to knowledge of the imperishable and unchanging forms† (104) Based on my research of the republic, the allegory can reveal multiple hidden messages. Plato describes, ordinary mortals are chained within an underground chamber, which according to Fiero, represents the psyche imprisoned within the human body. These mortals can’t lookRead MoreMy View On Plato s Ideal World Essay1420 Words   |  6 Pagesselfishness as the main issue troublemaking to our society. His main reasons for thes e ideas were to emphasize on social unity which will ride through a perfect society. In my opinion, I do think that’s was a good concepts, I will always want to live in Plato’s ideal world, because I have never heard of any society that was able to adopt his views on this kind of an ideal society. He, also believed in society where there is gender equality, a society were Women should have equal education as men. I do agreeRead MoreThe Iliad by Homer1383 Words   |  6 Pagesthat it only does so in an attempt to purge us of these harmful sentiments, a process which he termed â€Å"catharsis†. The events in Homer’s Iliad, while used by both Plato and Aristotle to defend their theories about literature, lend themselves to the defense of Aristotle’s ideas more so than Plato’s. Specifically, the juxtaposition of Achilleus’s intense lamentation with the portrayal of Hephaistos’s shield, the description of Hektor’s increasing pride, and the account of Patroklos’s impulsive natureRead MoreCompare and Contrast the Philosophical Contributions Aristotle and Descartes Make to Our Understanding of a Person1606 Words   |  7 PagesIn order to begin analyzing Aristotle and Descartes contribution to our notion of a person, we need to be able to understand what the term ‘personhood means. Unfortunately there is no clear answer, with philosophers still presenting conflicting ideas. However by asking questions such as; is ‘personhood identical to human being? What is the essence of a person? What relation does a person have with the world? When does personhood begin? At what point if ever does it end? And finally what makes aRead MorePlato s Allegory Of The Cave1814 Words   |  8 PagesIn Plato’s, â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†, a key theory I found was the importance of gaining knowledge. Plato uses an â€Å"allegory to illustrate the dilemma facing the psyche in the ascent to knowledge of the imperishable and unchanging forms† (Fiero, 104). Based on my research of the Republic, the allegory can reveal multiple hidden messages. Plato describes in the Allegory, ordinary mortals who are chained within an underground chamber, which according to Fiero, represents the psyche imprisoned wi thin the