Plato's Theory of the Forms

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Plato's theory of the forms and the reasons why Plato uses this metaphysical argument to justify how a state should be ruled and by whom. The theory is taken to its most logical endpoint a number of times to test its strength. Plato's technocratic viewpoint is mentioned along with the reasons why he held such views. Numerous criticisms are used and examined, which originate from Aristotle, Plato's pupil, and from Plato himself, with his later works also being touched upon.

From the Paper:

"The basis of Plato's theory of the forms is that he "distiguishes between the experienced world that most of us think of as reality" and the "real world of the forms accesible only to philosophers" . The world that we ordinarily experience with our sences is just a "superficial reflection", or shadow of the real world of the forms, that remain invisible to all but the greatest philosophers. Plato explores not only objects such as a chair or a triangle, but also looks at such things as goodness and beauty. For example, Plato argues that beauty must be something quite different from the image of beautiful things."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Republic Of Plato, translated by Francis MacDonald Cornford, 1941
• The Oxford English Dictionary Online, 2006, www.askoxford.com
• An Introduction to Political Thought, a conceptual toolkit, Peri Roberts and Peter Sutch, 2004
• Plato's Parmenides, translated by Mary Louise Gill and Paul Ryan, 1996
• Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, translated by Sarah Broadie and Christopher Rowe, 2002

More papers on Plato's Theory of the Forms:

• Essay # 19098 : "Plato's Theory of Ideas (Forms)"
• Analytical Essay # 61088 : "Plato's Theory of Being and Becoming"
• Essay # 60870 : "Allegory of the Cave" in the Air"

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