Plato Essay example -- essays research papers fc

One of the questions that has faced and continues to face some of the philosophers of the gentleman is "What is reality?" Plato addresses this question in his doctrine, the Theory of word forms. In an attempt to dish out this question, he explains what the Forms argon and how they affect the way the world is observed. These so-called Forms ar the basis of the reality we perceive. The question one must ask him or her self is what argon these forms, where do they come from, and how do they affect us as a society."A Platonic Form (Idea) is non a thought in someones mind but something that hold outs per se as an unchangeable part of the structure of reality."(Luce, 99) This statement is the foundation of Platos philosophy. What he is saying is that these forms atomic number 18 behind the way we see the world. In other words, they control the images and ideas that are presented to us. Two examples of such forms are ideal beauty and absolute goodness. When a person makes a comment interchangeable " That is a beautiful home." What is the dissimilitude between a beautiful home and a home that is not beautiful? This illustrates the point that Plato is attempting to make about the Forms functioning as a standard by which we compare the world to. In essence, these Forms serve as a measuring stick by which we make our judgements. In regards to the Form of absolute goodness, Plato describes this one as the all- powerful form. Here Plato suggests that the other Forms occur their meaning from the Form of absolute goodness. Some of the other Forms include Equality, circularity, wellness and Justice. These forms stubnot be seen nor can they be felt however, they can be dig by the mind after suitable preparation and training (Luce, 100). These forms exist in everything we see, in all the decisions we make and it is these Forms that we perceive when we describe something as beautiful or right or even wrong. The Theory of Forms as well has tw o significant underlying doctrines within its contents. The first one is the attribute between mentation and knowledge. One word that Plato uses to describe opinion is flawed. He explains that opinions are always changing due to anything from outside forces or only if just ones perception. For example, the people around can alter a persons opinion or even the type of room someone is in. External pressures are the cause of the variation in opinions ... ...tself (Stump, 62). In the Theory of Forms, Plato provides us with a possible dress to some of the questions that continually plague most people. The answer to the question "What is real" may never have a authorised answer. All one can do is to use the abilities given to him and decide to arrive to their own conclusion based on what he or she knows. Whether the reality most of us perceive is true or not is difficult to determine. The Theory of Forms gives us a way of analyzing reality, but like all other doctrines it s tops short of precisely defining reality. This inability to conclude the argument is the very same reason why this reach will continue on for as long as we bide and probably our children and their children and so on. The pursuit of truth will continue to be the driving force behind the search for the answer to the question that can explain the significance of our existence.Myla ModertPlato11/6/00Works CitedStumpf, Samuel Enoch. Socrates to Sartre A memoir of Philosophy. 1988, McGraw Hill Publishing New York City. PP 58-62.Luce, J.V. An Introduction to Greek Philosophy. 1992, Thames an Hudson Ltd. London. PP 99-102