Plato’s Theory of Forms: Understanding the Realm of Ideas
Plato’s Theory of Forms
Opinion (doxa) corresponds to the sensible world, with objects and bodily entities. It corresponds, therefore, to a lower kind of knowledge, imperfect and misleading. Whoever only adheres to the sensible world will never reach perfect knowledge. It is necessary that man look on the inside, using his own reason to come to the knowledge of true reality: ideas. Plato further divided Opinion into two levels: Imagination and Belief.
The Philosopher-King
For Plato, it was necessary for a State to be governed by righteous people who can give up their personal ambitions and who will be capable of this noble task. Only wise people, who have been in contact with the World of Ideas, can do this. That is, the philosopher-king. These are distinguished by a special talent that is perfect in every way, along with a formation that reaches fifty years. They must combine the power of wisdom as they have reached the knowledge of good and justice. They are returning to the Cave, even against their will, to lead men who are still in it and promote a just society. The philosopher-kings should occupy the highest post in the social structure as they dominated the rational soul that is typical of the class of rulers.
Reason vs. Sensibility
For Plato, the difference between reason and sensibility is radical: it is necessary to strengthen the first and overcome the second. The philosopher should be as close as possible to the World of Ideas because it is the world of true knowledge. Plato actually thought that all individuals have within them the knowledge of Ideas. Plato held that the human soul has been in contact with the ideas but, incarnated in the body, has suffered the neglect of them (Pythagorean influence). The body and senses constitute an obstacle for the human soul and the knowledge of the truth. For Plato, to help individuals bring to the surface real knowledge, so that ‘to know’ is to remember. It uses the method of Socratic Maieutics. The recall process is named reminiscence.
Dialectic of Reminiscence
A complementary form of knowledge is the dialectic of reminiscence. This is an ascending process, by means of logical operations, which leads to contemplation of the ideas and uses only contemplation and intuition, so that it dispenses with the senses.
The Intelligible World
The intelligible world corresponds to the world of ideas, the true knowledge of the real world. This one is not reached by the senses but by the use of Reason. The Intelligible World provides access to true knowledge and enables man to deal with absolute moral values and understand the idea of Good and Justice.
The Nature of Ideas
The ‘Ideas’ are figures, ageless, universal, and unchanging, from which existing objects and beings are derived. Plato’s ideas do not arise from our consciousness. In any case, we can say that because we recognize consciousness. Archetypes are self-existing and objective. It should be noted that Plato establishes a hierarchy of ideas, the main idea being the Good. Good is the origin and purpose of all being, of all ideas, and provides the world with the highest order, measure, and drive. It provides rationale to other ideas. Philosophy, as the highest aspiration, must have knowledge of the Good as a way of promoting an inclusive society and a better man. Then come the rest of Ideas: the ethical-aesthetic (justice, courage, beauty…) and mathematical (equality, unity, diversity…) occupying the bottom of this hierarchy of ideas about sensible things (water, fire, man…) on which even doubt they exist. We also observe how Plato distinguished between sensitive knowledge (relative misleading) and intellectual knowledge (absolute reliable).