For instance, though there are many tables there is only one “idea” or ‘form’ of a table. Here Plato explains that wherever a number of individuals have a common name they have also a common ‘idea’ or ‘form’. In this last book of the Republic Plato explains his theory of Ideas very clearly. The cat is real, the particular cats are appearances. It is only due to this imperfection that particulars are many. ![]() This logical part of the doctrine is independent of the metaphysical part, which deals with the theory that the word ‘cat’ means a certain ideal cat, “the cat” created by God and unique-particular cats are copies of ‘the cat’, but more or less imperfect copies. In fact, it is not in space and time, it is eternal. This general word is not born when a particular cat is born, and does not die when it dies. Language needs these general words (like cat) to mean different classes of things, not this or that particular thing. What do we mean by ‘cat’? The word ‘cat’ means something which is different from each particular cat.Īn animal is a cat because it has the common and essential character of catness. There are many animals of which some are called “cats”. The logical part deals with the meaning of general words. Plato’s Theory of Ideas or Forms is partly logical and partly metaphysical. His theory of knowledge, lies at the basis of his Theory of Ideas. Knowledge is only to be achieved by intellect. From a combination of all these, Plato built up his own system of philosophy in which the most important part is that sense-experience does not give us knowledge. From Parminides he derived the belief that reality is eternal and that all change must be illusory.įrom Heraclitus he derived the negative doctrine that there is nothing permanent in the sensible world. Russell puts it- from Pythagoras Plato derived the religious trend, the belief in immortality, the other- worldliness, his respect for mathematics and also that is involved in the simile of the cave. Plato’s philosophy was influenced not only by Socrates, but also by the philosophical outlook of Pythagoras, Parmenides and Heraclitus. Russell puts it “There is, however, something of great importance in Plato’s doctrine which is not traceable to his predecessors, and that is the theory of ideas or forms.” He converts Socratic theory of knowledge into a theory of the nature of reality-says Prof. Plato builds upon this teaching of Socrates, a new and wholely un-Socratic metaphysics of his own. ![]() We compare any animal with the definition of man in order to ascertain whether it is a man. Concepts, being nothing but definitions, have only a regulative value in thought says Socrates. ![]() These help us in thinking about a whole class of particular things. “Knowledge is founded on reason, and reason is the faculty of concepts.”įor Socrates, concepts were mental. Concepts being fixed as they are identical with definitions, they do not vary from individual to individual as opinion or perception or belief vary. All knowledge is knowledge through concepts. Plato accepted, without alteration, the Socratic theory of knowledge-knowledge according to him is neither perception, nor belief or opinion. After reading this article you will learn about Plato’s theory of ideas with critical estimate.
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