Plato’s Theory of Forms: Sensible vs. Intelligible Worlds
Plato’s Realms: Sensible and Intelligible
The Sensible World: Plato viewed the visible world as an intermediary between being and non-being, a realm of constant change. This Sensible World is a copy of the Intelligible World and comprises individual objects. The Demiurge creates this world, bringing order out of chaos.
The Intelligible World: This realm contains universal, unchanging objects. Known as the World of Ideas, it houses necessary, authentic, immutable, indivisible, and eternal ideas. These ideas are hierarchical, with one idea encompassing all others. Plato’s later dialogues emphasize the transcendence of these ideas, considering them models and archetypes.
Dialectic: This is a path with two directions: one leading to increased knowledge and the other to its dissemination. The Idea of Good sits at the top of the hierarchy, the cause of all other ideas’ essence and existence.
Science: Science makes universal, necessary, and immutable claims. It is possible because universal, necessary, and immutable realities exist. Science provides knowledge of the World of Ideas at two levels: Thought and Knowledge.
- Thought: Reasoning based on assumptions and deduced conclusions.
- Knowledge: The understanding that leads to the first principle, the Idea of Good.
Opinion: This is false knowledge related to the objects of the Sensible World, which Plato associated with the Sophists. It leads to a corrupted state, morally and legally, resulting in violence. Opinion has two levels:
- Imagination: Knowledge gained through speculation and confusion.
- Belief: Knowledge of constantly changing realities.
The Soul and Its Nature
The soul is the true self of man and is immortal. It exists before joining the body and continues after death, having lived in the World of Ideas. There are three types of souls:
- Rational Soul: The spiritual nature.
- Irascible Soul: Associated with the body.
- Concupiscible Soul: Also associated with the body.
The rational soul must govern the other two. Virtue is achieved through contemplation, the true exercise of the soul, leading to wisdom.
The Philosopher King
The philosopher king knows the Idea of Good and is required to transmit this knowledge to the public. They control the functions of each estate and society, fulfilling their role without interfering in others’ domains.
Reminiscence and Justice
Reminiscence: The soul remembers the ideas from its time in the Intelligible World, where true knowledge is obtained.
Justice: Achieved through the balanced forces of the virtues of temperance, courage, and prudence.