’s Theory Of Human Knowledge Essay, Research Paper
Plato contended that all true knowledge is recollection. He stated that we all have innate knowledge that tells us about the things we experience in our world. This knowledge, Plato believed, was gained when the soul resided in the invisible realm, the realm of The Forms and The Good.
Plato’s theory of The Forms argued that everything in the natural world is representative of the ideal of that form. For example, a table is representative of the ideal form Table. The form is the perfect ideal on which the physical table is modeled. These forms do not exist in the natural world, as they are perfect, and there is nothing perfect in the natural world. Rather the forms exist in the invisible realm, the realm of The Good.
When the soul resided in the invisible realm, it experienced these perfect forms and retained that knowledge. However, when the soul is born into the natural world, it forgets that knowledge. In this world, the soul has no experience of perfection, and, therefore, cannot remember the forms. Yet, when the soul is confronted with something resembling the forms, it recollects what it once knew. We call this learning, but Plato believed it is actually recollection.
For example, when we see two sticks that are the same length, we say that they are equal. Yet, there is nothing in the natural world that shows us true equality. Therefore, we must have had knowledge of the idea of equality before we entered this world. When we see the two sticks of the same length, it triggers the recollection of the idea of equality.
Hence, Plato argues that our soul, before it entered this world, had knowledge of the form of equality when it was a part of the invisible realm. Upon entering this world, this knowledge was forgotten and had to be recollected. Thus, all knowledge of the forms, such as equality, justice, etc. is recollected.
However, in proving that what we call learning is actually recollection, Plato also proved that the soul is immortal. As was stated, there is no example of true perfection in our world. Yet, we can imagine the idea of perfection. Where could this idea come from if we have not experienced it in our world? We must have experienced it at some point if the idea is within us.
Thus, Plato argued that the soul must have existed outside of the natural world. In order for this to be so, it must be immortal, living before it came into this world. It only stands to reason, Plato contended, that it must continue to exist after it leaves this world. How else would it have been in existence before it came into this world? Plato believed that it was a rational assumption that our soul must continue to exist even after our death.
Whether Plato believed that the soul migrates from one lifetime to another, one body to another, some would say is unclear. However, I believe that the idea of recollection leans heavily on the assumption that the soul is residing within the invisible realm before it comes into existence in the physical realm.
If the soul migrates from one body to another at one person’s death and another’s birth, then we would still have no explanation for the soul’s knowledge of the forms. For wouldn’t the previous life have been spent in the natural world, just as this life is? As has already been argued, there is nothing perfect in this world and, therefore, no way of discerning the true forms. Thus, if the soul resided in this physical world in its previous life, where would it have gained knowledge of the forms?
Therefore, I believe that Plato’s intention was that the soul resides within the invisible realm until its birth into the natural world. It is while it resides within this realm and experiences the perfection of the forms and The Good, that it gains true knowledge. This true knowledge is remembered when the soul experiences, within the natural world, something resembling the ideal forms.
It follows, therefore, that when the soul leaves the body at death, it must return to the invisible realm, the realm of the Forms and The Good. Plato argued that this was the desire of every soul, to regain knowledge of the perfect realm and to be reunited with The Good.
Therefore, in arguing his theory of recollection, Plato proved that there is no true learning in this world; there is merely recollection of the knowledge the soul had previous to this life. He also proved that the soul is immortal, in that it must have existed before this life in order to have knowledge of the forms. Finally, Plato showed that the soul does not permanently reside within one body and die when that body dies. It must exist separate from that body and continue to exist after that body’s death. Taken together, these three points make up Plato’s theory on the transmigration of the soul.
Plato. “Phaedo.” Plato: The Last Days of Socrates. Translated by Hugh Tredennick and Harold Tarrant, 108-191. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, Ltd., 1993.
Plato. Republic. Translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised by C.D.C. Reeve. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1992.
Другие работы по теме:
Plato Essay Research Paper PlatoLIFEPlato was born
Plato Essay, Research Paper Plato LIFE Plato was born to an aristocratic family in athens, greece. When he was a child his father, Ariston, who was believed to be descended from the early kings of Athens died, and his mother, Perictione married Pyrilampes. As a young man Plato was always interested in political leadership and eventully became a disciple of Socrates.
PlatoS Biography Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato`S Biography Essay, Research Paper Plato’s LifeThere is an ancient story (very likely a true one) that Plato was originally named Aristocles, but acquired the nickname Plato (”broad” or “wide” in Greek) on account of his broad shoulders. Both of Plato’s parents were from distinguished aristocratic families.
Western Concept Of Self Essay Research Paper
The most important elements comprising the Western concept of the self are probably the soul and self identity. As Plato has made clear, you really are just a soul before God. Believing in this religious answer to the question: “Who am I?” means accepting that your possessions and accomplishments along with your body is nothing; merely insignificant.
Plato Essay Research Paper PLATOPlato was one
Plato Essay, Research Paper PLATO Plato was one of the greatest Philosophers in history. He came up with a process of dialectical thinking. This is a Process of thinking by dialogue, discussion, debate, or argument. In ancient Greece, the term was used literally.
Plato And Equus Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato And Equus Essay, Research Paper Plato once said that man is a being in search of meaning. In Peter Shaffer s disturbing play, Equus, psychologist Martin Dysart and his patient, Alan Strang, are searching for meaning. Alan Strang has chosen the path of nonrationalism to give him this meaning. He worships Equus a God that he has taken from parts of Christianity and has assumed its form of that of a horse.
Compare And Contrast What The Word Form
Means In P Essay, Research Paper In Greek, the word eidos, that is commonly translated to the words form, archetype, essence, and idea is the basis of Plato s theories expressed in this paper. This question of what is the difference between the meaning of Plato s idea of what the word form as compared to what Aristotle thought the word form means is like comparing a biologist to Mathematician.
PlatoS Five Dialogues And Descartes Six Meditations
Essay, Research Paper One of the odd yet interesting ideas that philosopher’s demand be debated is that of the true nature of the human being. Even though probably each philosopher has his own unique perception of the true nature of the human being, philosophers tend to share some of the same basic attributes in their definition.
Thomas Vs Moore Essay Research Paper Plato
Thomas Vs. Moore Essay, Research Paper Plato’s Republic and Thomas More’s Utopia have a relationship in that they both share an idea. These books both have the concept of an ideal society, although they do this for distinct reasons and they attain contrasted types of perfection. More describes Utopia as “the most civilized nation in the world”.
Are Human Beings Strictly Essay Research Paper
1 Are human beings strictly physical beings? Or are we made up of two parts a physical part and a non-physical part? In my opinion human beings consist of both physical and non-physical parts. In other words there is more to us than just flesh and bones. One who believes that there is two parts that make up a human being is known as a dualist.
Plato Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Essay, Research Paper Plato’s theory of knowledge is found in the Republic, particularly in his discussion of the image about the myth of the cave. Plato distinguishes between two levels of awareness:
Plato And Epicurus What Makes A Man
Just Essay, Research Paper For many years, dating back to the first birth of man there has been the ultimate question of what makes a man just. This question has been pondered by numerous great philosophers. The question is varied to answer because of a multitude of opinions due to the nature of human diversity.
Defending Materialism Essay Research Paper Defending MaterialismDualism
Defending Materialism Essay, Research Paper Defending Materialism Dualism means the complete separation of the mental world and the physical world. In philosophy, it is the theory that the world is explicable only as a world composed of two distinct and mutually exclusive factors: the mind and the body.
Plato The Philosopher Essay Research Paper
“Plato the Philosopher” Plato was born in 427 BC and died in 347 BC. In his early life Plato was exposed to war service and political ambitions. However, he was never really sorrowful towards t
The Idea Of Form Essay Research Paper
Chapter three The Idea of Form Introduction Plato-when philosophy came of age: we can also encounter the first philosophical system. Philosophical system- fundamental idea or theory that is worked out for all aspects of experience. Plato’s Philosophy- reality, knowledge, ethics, art, religion, cosmetology etc.
Socrates Vs Gilgamesh Essay Research Paper Sarah
Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Essay, Research Paper Sarah Raske October 11, 2000 Socrates Vs. Gilgamesh Socrates? view of death in the Phaedo, Crito, and Apology is complex. His argument tries to prove that philosophers, of all people, are in the best state to die or will be in the best state after life because of the life they lead.
Hume Essay Research Paper In the Meno
Hume Essay, Research Paper In the Meno, Plato justifies the possibility for one s mind to uncover knowledge. Knowing one can obtain knowledge motivates the mind to gain more knowledge. Plato explains the theory of recollection by first questioning what virtue is, then demonstrating the process through the questioning of a slave boy.
Plato Essay Research Paper The Use of
Plato Essay, Research Paper The Use of Dialectic to Define Justice Through the use of Socratic dialogue, Plato has an advantage at obtaining answers by refuting other philosophers. Plato is able to achieve an answer to the question, what is justice. He derives this answer through an analogy of the ideal city.
Four Arguments For The Immortality Of The
Human Soul Presented By Plato In The Phaedo. Essay, Research Paper In Plato s Phaedo, he argues that the soul will continue to exist, and that it will go on to a better place. The argument begins on the day of his execution with the question of whether it is good or bad to die. In other words, he is arguing that the soul is immortal and indestructible.
The Tempest Essay Research Paper Prospero
The Tempest Essay, Research Paper Prospero’s philosopher lacking Shakespeake’s Tempest is a window into his idea of a utopia. The island serves as a place much like that of Plato’s Republic and Moore’s Utopia. But, Prospero, the leader of Shakespeare’s Tempest is not the same philosopher king that both Moore and Plato wished to rule their respective societies.
Plato Vs Aristotle Essay Research Paper How
Plato Vs. Aristotle Essay, Research Paper How do we explain the world around us? How can we get to the truth? Plato and Aristotle began the quest to find the answers thousands of years ago. Amazingly, all of philosophy since that time can be described as only a rehashing of the original argument between Plato and Aristotle.
Theory Of Recollection Essay Research Paper Plato
Theory Of Recollection Essay, Research Paper Plato has had a Theory of Recollection to explain our access of knowledge, that knowledge is from within, and not obtained through experience. The Theory of Recollection refers to the idea that recollection is like the soul, where it is maintained and never dying, therefore it constitutes the spiritual aspect of remembering.
Epistemology Essay Research Paper Plato
Epistemology Essay, Research Paper Plato’s View in Human Knowledge Plato presents three different views about knowledge in Meno, Republic, and Theaetetus. In Meno’s case, Plato believes knowledge as something innate in us when we are born; in his later view, in Republic, Plato believes we perceive things and gain knowledge; and from the last view, in Theaetus, Plato believes knowledge is the combination of a true opinion and a rational opinion.
Plato The Stoics And The Epicureans Views
On Pleasure And Pain. Essay, Research Paper Plato?s believes that the body is nothing but constant distraction to the soul. The five senses, along with pleasure and pain are among the most distracting feature of the body because
The Republic By Plato 427
– 347 B.C.) Essay, Research Paper The Republic is one of the foundational writings of Western philosophy and civilization. We see Platonic thought and Socratic methodology still vitally evolving in today’s world. Dialectic
Objections To Plato
’s Essay, Research Paper Objections to Plato s Three Parts of the Soul Plato s The Republic is perhaps the first and greatest works written about politics ever. This book, which was written more than 24 centuries ago, is very modern in the sense that it still makes people think the way it did in the 4th century B.C., and although the reader may not always agree with what Plato has to say, he does make some points like no philosopher after him ever will again.
Plato Essay Research Paper There are many
Plato Essay, Research Paper There are many ways in which the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle have reached that of that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, due to the fact that Aristotle thought the world that we live in today is the ultimate reality. While Plato thought the world that we see every day is real but is not the ultimate reality.
PhilosophySoul Is Immortal Essay Research Paper The
Philosophy:Soul Is Immortal Essay, Research Paper The Soul Is Immortal The task of this paper is to explain how the soul is immortal and lives on through people’s impressions. There is something inside of all human beings that lives on forever. Even when death is upon us, the soul of a person never dies. Thus, we arrive at the statement the soul is immortal.
The Phaedo Essay Research Paper Philosophy 106Steve
The Phaedo Essay, Research Paper Philosophy 106 Steve Anthony In “The Phaedo,” Plato explains his theory of forms and ideas concerning the mortality of the soul. We find that the soul and body are separate and that the soul lives after death and had lived before. This leads us to the idea of forms and how we acquire the knowledge of these before birth.
Plato The Soul And The Theory Of
Forms Essay, Research Paper The Relationship Between Plato?s Theory of Forms and the Immortality of the Soul Preface In the Phaedo, Plato set out to show many things, including that the Soul is Immortal. Through the aid of the Theory of Forms Plato proved that the soul is immortal.
Socrates And Descartes On Dualism Essay Research
Paper Socrates and Descartes on Dualism Dualism means the complete separation of the mental world and the physical world. In philosophy, it is the theory that the universe is explicable only as a whole composed of two distinct and mutually exclusive factors: the mind and the body. Socrates and Plato are called dualists because they think that mind and body are separate and distinct substances.
Does Plato Believe There Can Ever Be
A Just Society? Essay, Research Paper Does Plato Believe There Can Ever Be A Just Society? In answering this question I first need to describe what a just society
Nietzche Vs Socrates And Plato Essay Research
Paper Nietzsche s thoughts on finite differed dramatically from Socrates and Plato. Nietzsche believes that everyone should embrace the finite because you will enhance this life and make it more beautiful. He rejects the theory that eternity is of more importance than the present life. To Nietzsche, pursuing what you love to do is the only way to excellence.
Socrates Vs Plato Essay Research Paper One
Socrates Vs. Plato Essay, Research Paper One of the areas of greatest disagreement between Plato and Socrates was on the issue of incontinence and how the idea manifests itself in people s lives. This was one of the first areas in which Plato made a point of disagreeing with his teacher. As a consequence he develops a very different theory of motivation as compared to Socrates.
Plato Vs Socrates Essay Research Paper Plato
Plato Vs Socrates Essay, Research Paper Plato vs SocratesPlato was one of the most influential and significant philosophers throughout the antient and modern world. Through his rich blood line and his years of studying under Socrates, Plato was able to develop various theories, such as the Theory of Knowledge and The Forms.
The Unjust Life Is More Profitable Than
The Just Life Essay, Research Paper “The Unjust Life Is The Most Profitable Life” Plato argues in his book the “Republic” that the just life is better that the unjust life. Although, Glaucon has legitimate arguments, Plato refutes them effectively by showing that the just life is better.