PLATO
(427-347 BCE)
Theory of the Forms
Metaphysical Problem
Problem of identity (being) and change (becoming)
- Heraclitus - "You can never step in the same river twice"
- Parmenides - "All is one"
Meta-Ethical Problems
The meaning of "good"
- subjective: Sophists
- objective: Plato
Problem of normative knowledge
- ethical skepticism: Sophists
- ethical knowledge: PlatoA states "X is Y"
Subjective
Statement about the belief, opinion, or perspective of A (the subject); viz., Y is the opinion, belief, or perspective of A about X
Neither True nor False
It may be true or false that A believes that "X is Y" but whether or not X has the property Y is not itself at issue
Knowledge of truth or falsity of statement is theoretically impossible since opinion itself is neither true or false
Objective
Statement about X (the object); viz., that X has the property Y
True or False
True if X has the property Y
False if X does not have the property Y
Knowledge of truth or falsity of statement is theoretically possible since this is purportedly a statement of fact
The Realms
Being The Realm of the Forms
|
Becoming The Realm of the Physical
|
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INDEPENDENT |
DEPENDENT |
Theory of the Forms
Metaphysical Problem
Coexistence of identity (being) and change (becoming) in distinct realms
Meta-Ethical Problems
The meaning of "good"
objective: dependent on participation, not the individual person
Problem of normative knowledge
ethical knowledge: whether or not participates is a theoretically knowable matter of fact, not opinion
Republic, Book VII
"The Allegory of the Cave"