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Platos theory of Forms

            Plato's main study in philosophy was his theory of forms also known as his theory of ideas. Although there is the material world in which we live, Plato also believed that there was an "eternal world" of concepts and forms. He believed that this world was more real than the material world and it is the object of knowledge, not opinion.
             One of the things that we have to distinguish in Plato's ideas is the distinction between the Forms and the material world. The Forms are the ideal or "perfect equivalent" of everything that exists. The material world is the world in which we live which consists of everything being reasonable approximations of an ideal Form. Plato believed that for every single thing there is in the material world, there is a perfect form of it in an ideal world or "realm." One of Plato's examples of this is his idea of beauty. He explains that true beauty cannot exist in the material world because the material world is full of opinion as people can say "her nose is too big" or "his ears are too small" when others might think differently. Plato goes on to explain that true beauty can only be a matter of opinion as everyone has a unique idea of beauty.
             Plato gave reasons for suggesting that there are Forms. One of these reasons is that it suggests that we go to this ideal realm when we die where everything is perfect or "ideal." This is very closely related to Christianity in the sense of there being and eternal and perfect afterlife which Christians obviously relate to as being heaven. Plato also suggested that when we describe particular objects with certain words we are relating to the world of Forms. For example, if one were to say, "They are truly brilliant." They would clearly be relating to the world of Forms as we do not know what true brilliance is as we have never witnessed or experienced it.
             Plato used a number of ways to illustrate his ideas of the Forms. One of his particularly interesting illustrations was when he related perfection to a circle.


Essays Related to Platos theory of Forms

1. Theory Of Forms

The Theory of Forms By Plato Plato was one of the most creative and influential thinkers in Western philosophy, his influence throughout the history of philosophy has been monumental. Born around 428 B.C, he investigated a wide range of topics, but his theory of forms, found in The Republic, is a critical part of Plato's philosophy. In this essay I will explain, evaluate and analyze Plato's theory of the forms. ... Plato's theory of forms, known also as his theory of ideas, states that there is another world that exists separate to the material world that we live in, called...

  • Word Count: 1717
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Platos Form

Plato's theory of knowledge and form are expressed with three approaches: his allegory of The Cave, his metaphor of the Divided Line and his doctrine The Forms. Each theory is interconnected; one could not be without the other. ... Plato said, "the Forms are the cause of the essence of all other things, and the One is the cause of the Forms". ... But in relation to Forms and it-self Plato stated, "we can have discourse only through the weaving together of Forms". ... Plato's Theory of Knowledge leads us down many roads but we see the same theme through out: light to dark; ignora...

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3. Denial of Plato's Theory of Forms

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  • Word Count: 494
  • Approx Pages: 2
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4. The theory of Forms - Aristotle and Plato

Understanding the distinction between Becoming and Being helps to understand Plato's theory of reality. ... The "essential Form of the Good" is above even the Forms themselves, according to Plato. ... Aristotle criticized Plato's theory of the Forms. ... Many philosophers, such as Plato, who base their ideas on the theory of Form, form an objective basis for all that exists, as well as knowledge and judgment. ... Aristotle criticized Plato's theory of Forms because Plato's theory doesn't connect the Forms and the things they are the Forms of. ...

  • Word Count: 922
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5. Plato

Plato's Theory of Knowledge Plato's Theory of Knowledge is very interesting. He expresses this theory with three approaches: his allegory of The Cave, his metaphor of the Divided Line and his doctrine The Forms. Each theory is interconnected; one could not be without the other. ... Plato said, "the Forms are the cause of the essence of all other things, and the One is the cause of the Forms". ... Plato's Theory of Knowledge leads us down many roads but we see the same theme through out: light to dark; ignorant to educated; reality to really real. ...

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  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Plato

Plato was well known for his theory of the form, participation with Christianity, the doctrine of Recollection immortality of the soul, and a school he founded called ACADEMY where he taught Mathematics and Philosophy until his death. ... Having this belief Plato felt that it was his responsibility to inform the world of this knowledge, with his theory of the form. ... Plato believed that the form came in three phases, Idea, Morph, and Eidos. ... Along with Plato's beliefs of the forms, and realms he also believed in Essential and Accidental qualities. ... Being a Christian I believe a...

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7. Plato

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. ... 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. ... 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. ......

  • Word Count: 845
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Plato

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. ... 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. ... Taken together, these three points make up Plato's theory on the transmigration of the soul. ... Plato. ...

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9. Plato's Theory of Education

This paper will examine Plato's theory on education as described in the Allegory of the Cave. ... A prisoner getting released is the start of "turning the soul in the right direction" in Plato's Theory of Education. ... " This is what Plato's Theory of Education is, it's making the student think for himself, make him formulate his own thoughts. ... The sun is "The Good" and using Plato's theory of education is a way to reach "The Good.... He can also see how this form of "Normal Education" in the cave is not the best form of educ...

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