Theory of Forms PDF

Theory of Forms THEORY OF FORMS Plato believed that true reality existed beyond normal perceptions of the world What we perceive around us is a shadow of this truth ○ What is real?, How do you know it’s real? ❏ The world of forms contain the perfect ideal of the thing it is represe...

Theory of Forms THEORY OF FORMS Plato believed that true reality existed beyond normal perceptions of the world What we perceive around us is a shadow of this truth ○ What is real?, How do you know it’s real? ❏ The world of forms contain the perfect ideal of the thing it is representing ❏ We perceive the shadows of forms to our Physical world ❏ Plato believed that true reality existed beyond what we can perceive. Form is not a shape but the essence of an object. According to Plato, we live in a poor imitation of the real world. ❏ Our world is constantly changing and we rely to our senses to understand what is going on. ❏ Plato said that the real world is outside the one we live in. ❏ This real world is unchanging and eternal. It is the world of ideas not senses, where there are perfect forms of the things we know on earth.  Plato’s view of Reality ❏ The world of being is ❏ The world of fundamental reality becoming is the ❏ Ultimate reality exists world we experience beyond our physical through our senses. world ❏ Plato believes that the real world is actually composed of pure forms or essences. ❏ What makes an apple, an apple? ❏ What do all wise men have in common? Two distinct level of reality. ❏ The visible world of sights and sound we inhabit, ❏ and the intelligible world of form that stands above the visible world and gives meaning. ❏ The theory of forms envision the entire world of forms , a universal world that exists outside of time and space, where universal form of Beauty, Justice, Courage exist unaffected by the imperfections of the visible world. ❏ Plato believed that these Forms or Universals are eternal, unchanging and necessary. In philosophy it is sought to understand the true Form of ideals such as friendship, goodness, truth, wisdom, virtue and justice and be able to integrate this knowledge into the physical physical world. To you, what is your form of… Friendship Wisdom Goodness Justice Truth God Aristotle - Form & Matter ❏ Form ❏ Aristotle believed that the form of a thing was not an abstract entity, but rather that is common to all things. ❏ Matter & Form ❏ All substances are composed of matter. ❏ What thing it is made of : (C,H,O) ❏ What thing it is made to be: rock, human, planet ❏ According to aristotle the form of human is the soul. Aristotle - Four Causes ❏ Episteme (Scientific Knowledge) ❏ Aristotle believed that episteme comes from experience. ❏ All things have four causes: ❏ Material cause - Matter : What is the matter made of? ❏ Formal cause - Essence : What it made to be? ❏ Efficient Cause - Agent: What caused it to be? ❏ Final Cause - Purpose: What it is meant to accomplish? Material Cause - What is it Efficient Cause - How is it (stuff) made of ? done? ❏ Preceding force that causes Ex. Cu, Fe it to existence Ex. Construction workers Formal Cause - What is its design? Final Cause - Why does it exist? Form, function or essence of a The ultimate purpose of the thing. object - Provides lodging - Meals - Leisure Plato’s Allegory of the Cave A story, play, poem, picture, or other work in which the characters and events represent particular qualities or ideas that relate to morals, religion. 4:52 Performance Task 1. What is the meaning behind the symbols mentioned in the allegory. 2 pts each (4 sentences) Cave, prisoners, the sun/light, shadows , puppeteers, freed prisoners 1. What does Plato’s cave tells us? (5 pts) 2. Is the allegory of the cave relevant today?How? give to examples/situations. Summary Plato’s Theory of Forms is a foundational metaphysical concept suggesting that true reality is comprised of abstract, ideal entities (Forms) which differ from how things appear. Plato’s cave analogy is a famous depiction of his Theory of Forms: people initially see mere shadows (appearances) but eventually can perceive real objects illuminated by the sun (true Forms). Despite controversies, this theory remains a pivotal contribution to Western philosophy, underpinning many of Plato’s subsequent ideas. References https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nHj3gL_JN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzyo-X7NVLw&list=PLlTaP_teRBgpysYY_aShGE9 V9FZpLA3rr&index=2 https://achangeforbetter.com/why-the-allegory-of-the-cave-is-still-relevant/