Philosophy 1050: Introduction to Philosophy Week 6: Plato, Forms, and Wisdom

Plato, forms and wisdom According to Plato, part of doing philosophy is learning how to handle death. According to Plato, part of doing philosophy is learning how to handle death. Plato will argue, through Socrates, that the soul is immortal and so we do not have to fear death. Plato will argue, through Socrates, that the soul is immortal and so we do not have to fear death. He will do this by arguing that there are certain real things – called forms – that we cannot see or touch, but that exist nevertheless and that we know things about from even before we were born. He will do this by arguing that there are certain real things – called forms – that we cannot see or touch, but that exist nevertheless and that we know things about from even before we were born. By tracing out the argument, we learn how to tie down our opinions with reasons, using rational thinking to make a convincing case. By tracing out the argument, we learn how to tie down our opinions with reasons, using rational thinking to make a convincing case.

The Death of Socrates

Cebes: “Assuming that we were afraid, Socrates, try to change our minds, or rather do not assume that we are afraid, but perhaps there is a child in us who has these fears; try to persuade him not to fear death like a bogey.” (77e) Cebes: “Assuming that we were afraid, Socrates, try to change our minds, or rather do not assume that we are afraid, but perhaps there is a child in us who has these fears; try to persuade him not to fear death like a bogey.” (77e) If we were in Socrates’ situation, what (if anything) would convince us not to be afraid? If we were in Socrates’ situation, what (if anything) would convince us not to be afraid? What would we want to know? What would we want to know? How could we know this? How could we know this?

The Death of Socrates: Soul vs. Body “When, then, does the soul grasp the truth? For whenever it attempts to examine anything with the body, it is clearly deceived by it … Is it not in reasoning if anywhere that any reality becomes clear to the soul?” (65b; p. 102). “When, then, does the soul grasp the truth? For whenever it attempts to examine anything with the body, it is clearly deceived by it … Is it not in reasoning if anywhere that any reality becomes clear to the soul?” (65b; p. 102).

The Death of Socrates: The “Forms” -Do we say that there is such a thing as the Just itself, or not? -Do we say that there is such a thing as the Just itself, or not? –-We do say so, by Zeus. -And the Beautiful, and the Good? -And the Beautiful, and the Good? –-Of course. -And have you ever seen any of those things with your eyes? -And have you ever seen any of those things with your eyes? –-In no way. (65d)

Socrates, Plato, and the Forms According to Plato, there are some real things – he calls them “forms” – that we do not directly observe with our eyes but nevertheless can know some things about them. According to Plato, there are some real things – he calls them “forms” – that we do not directly observe with our eyes but nevertheless can know some things about them. We can also use them as “standards” to judge things we can observe. We can also use them as “standards” to judge things we can observe. Examples: The beautiful, the equal (equality), justice, truth, the perfect square. Examples: The beautiful, the equal (equality), justice, truth, the perfect square.

Putting together the pieces: Socrates and Immortality We want to trace a route from: We want to trace a route from: –The idea of the FORMS – actual things that we can know about, but have never perceived with our senses To: –The claim that the soul is IMMORTAL.

The Death of Socrates: Wisdom “It really has been shown to us that, if we are ever to have pure knowledge, we must escape from the body and observe things in themselves with the soul by itself. It seems likely that we shall, only then, when we are dead, attain that which we desire and of which we claim to be lovers, namely wisdom, as our argument shows, not while we live…” (66d-e) “It really has been shown to us that, if we are ever to have pure knowledge, we must escape from the body and observe things in themselves with the soul by itself. It seems likely that we shall, only then, when we are dead, attain that which we desire and of which we claim to be lovers, namely wisdom, as our argument shows, not while we live…” (66d-e)

Plato, Forms, and Wisdom: Summary According to Plato, we do not need to fear death because we can know that the soul is immortal and continues to exist after the body dies. According to Plato, we do not need to fear death because we can know that the soul is immortal and continues to exist after the body dies. This is because, through our soul, we have knowledge of the forms – perfect exemplars that we cannot see or sense. This is because, through our soul, we have knowledge of the forms – perfect exemplars that we cannot see or sense. According to Plato, we got this knowledge before we were born, and later on we can recollect or remember it. According to Plato, we got this knowledge before we were born, and later on we can recollect or remember it. By tracing out the argument for immortality, we are learning how to support our opinions or views with reasons that make them solid, grounded, and convincing. By tracing out the argument for immortality, we are learning how to support our opinions or views with reasons that make them solid, grounded, and convincing.