Plato’s Apology and the Theory of Forms. Plato Wrote in dialogue form Early dialogues seem to represent Socrates’ thought Later dialogues more clearly.

Plato’s Apology and the Theory of Forms

Plato Wrote in dialogue form Early dialogues seem to represent Socrates’ thought Later dialogues more clearly present Plato’s views. Socratic Method – questions ▪Meno example

Metaphysics Recap Metaphysics - the study of what kind of things there are in the world. Early work on cosmology. What is matter? What is the stuff the world is composed of? How does one thing change into something else? Presocratics - the influence they had on Plato, especially: Heraclitus - doctrine of flux, change Parmenides - unchanging One, what is

Plato’s Theory of Forms The theory of forms is a theory about metaphysics, the study of what kind of things there are in the world. The world of our senses is ever-changing and unknowable, a shadow of true reality. The Forms are what are truly real. Okay… so what are forms?

Plato’s Theory of Forms What are Plato’s forms? abstract and immaterial objects that we can only come to know using our reason. Forms are that which makes an object what it is. (examples – chair, dog) Consider math – to obtain a true understanding of mathematics you need to know the abstract ideas involved and the relations between the numbers before you can be said to understand. For Plato, you only know about some object in the world when you know the Form of that object.

Plato’s Theory of Forms Again – for Plato, the Forms are what are truly real. Plato does not deny the existence of the material world. Like a shadow, the material world exists but is less important than the object that casts that shadow.

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

Prisoners trapped in the cave are misled, believing shadows to be the things themselves. If they could only break loose, then they would be able to turn and see the object for what it is. In the same way, we are supposed to turn our attention to the Forms in order to see what physical objects truly are. (i.e. forms) Ex. Movie theaters as modern versions, planetariums. Consider films such as eXistenZ, Fight Club, and A Beautiful Mind

Plato’s Doctrine of Recollection Socratic questioning in the Meno Doctrine of Recollection - Plato's theory of knowledge ▪ learning is being reminded of that which the soul once knew before this life

Plato’s Theory of Forms The stages of coming to know the Form of Beauty: ▪ Absolute Beauty ▪swimming in a sea of beauty all around ▪beauty in speeches, constitutions, sciences  beauty in customs, practices  recognizing the beauty of the soul  recognizing beauty in many bodies  recognizing a beautiful body

Plato’s Apology The defense of Socrates, the story of his trial. Tried before a jury of citizens. The size of the jury depended on the seriousness of the charges. (Socrates' jury had 501 members.) First part - charges were made by the accuser(s) (no lawyers were used) and the defendant had to answer them. The jury then decided between the two cases and brought a verdict of guilty or not guilty. Second part - If guilty then each side proposed a penalty, and the jury voted on which to accept. Jury could not propose a different penalty: they had to decide between the two choices offered.

Plato’s Apology The charges against Socrates ▪ Corrupting the youth ▪ Impiety – not believing in the gods of the city but believing in “new spiritual things” Socrates ▪ still in essence tradition begun by the Pre-socratics ▪ shift to ethics, the just life ▪ story of oracle, why he was moved to act ▪ his 'customary manner of speaking' - the elenchus (refutation / cross-examination) (which annoyed everyone)

Plato’s Apology and the Theory of Forms. Plato Wrote in dialogue form Early dialogues seem to represent Socrates’ thought Later dialogues more clearly.

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Plato’s Apology and the Theory of Forms. Plato Wrote in dialogue form Early dialogues seem to represent Socrates’ thought Later dialogues more clearly.

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Presentation on theme: "Plato’s Apology and the Theory of Forms. Plato Wrote in dialogue form Early dialogues seem to represent Socrates’ thought Later dialogues more clearly."— Presentation transcript:

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