Walt: explore Plato’s ‘Analogy of the Cave’ by the end of the lesson Able to summarize the story, Explain some of the symbolism in the story 14/05/2018

PLATO’S STORY OF THE CAVE 14/05/2018

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What is the point/purpose of the story? What is the story about? What is the point/purpose of the story? What does each element represent: People Chains Shadows Fire Cave Pathway/bridge Sun Journey out of the cave Journey back into the cave 14/05/2018

Homework: How would the prisoner feel? Imagine you are the prisoners- re tell the story from your point of view. 14/05/2018

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Plato: Forms Walt: explain what Plato’s concept of Forms is Plato would say that chairs in this world are like shadows of real chairs, a dim reflection. But we have knowledge of the real ‘form’ of a chair. 14/05/2018

How do we know what a ‘Form’ is? Where do ‘Form’s’ come from? What is a ‘Form’ How do we know what a ‘Form’ is? Where do ‘Form’s’ come from? 14/05/2018

Describe these horses? Particulars: the particular characteristics of something- e.g horses hooves, mane, gallop Concept: the idea or form of something eg. horse Phenomena: things as we experience (sense) them e.g see a horse 14/05/2018

Plato would say that you recognize these as horses because your soul has a memory of seeing the Form of the Horse in the eternal world of Forms. 14/05/2018

Form of the Good World of Forms: is eternal and immutable 14/05/2018

Plato’s model of society Body Soul State Reason Head Reason Philosopher-Kings Spirit Auxiliaries/Guardians Appetite Craftsmen/Artisans/Traders Will Chest Abdomen Appetite 14/05/2018 Plato's four virtues: wisdom, courage, moderation & justice

Which came first the chicken or the egg? Plato would say the idea/Form of a chicken came before both. 14/05/2018

Walt: Criticise Plato’s Theory of Forms using Aristotle Oi! Plato, your ideas suck Starter: say what you don’t like about Plato Plato’s argument is absolutist: it is fixed, without exceptions and applies to all situations. It is an a priori argument – based on reason not sense experience Think: Could we convince Plato he was wrong:? Plato’s theory of Forms can’t be proved (through the senses or scientifically) because it is beyond them. Plato said that sense experience is flawed therefore using it to prove is theory wouldn’t change his mind. 14/05/2018

Aristotle would say that the ‘Form’ of the horse is simply a construct that humans apply after experiencing a number of horses. The idea/Form of a horse is simply made up of the general characteristics of horses (the particulars) 14/05/2018

Aristotle: criticises Plato The Form of something therefore exists in its characteristics (the particulars) not beyond it in some world of Forms. The Forms that we have in our mind are simply concepts in our mind based on our experience of things. The world of the Forms is not real, but simply a reflection ( in our minds) of the real world that see, hear, smell, touch and taste (experience). Experience comes first, then through our reasoning we can form ideas in our mind You like this? 14/05/2018

Aristotle’s Objections Why is this practically useful? Practical knowledge comes from careful observation. If there are forms for each number, there is an infinity of possible numbers, then there is an infinity of possible forms No proof What is good? Plato assumes that something that is pure it needs to be eternal- what about whiteness? Why does no-one study the forms? Doctors? Forms have no practical value 14/05/2018

Aristotle’s Objections Empiricists would object various assumptions that we may know everything a priori, no empirical evidence Popper argues that Plato is determined to find certainty in another world. Ayer argues primitive superstition, ‘Love’ are not names of particular things but stand for other qualities 14/05/2018

Hierarchy of the Forms The realm of forms is more superior than the realm of appearances. The form of Good is above all. The Sun is the Form of the Good, below is other forms such as beauty. Greeks thought if we knew what was intellectual we would know the good thing to do, we would always do the right thing! If there was wrong doing it was due to ignorance… Only carefully selected could govern, the Athenian democracy was made up of ordinary people, it consisted those who are good not what was truly good.

Simile Divided line 14/05/2018

Essay Questions “The simile of the cave tells us nothing about reality” “To what extent can it be argued that education is about remembering, not learning?” “How convincing is Plato’s idea of the Form of the Good?” 14/05/2018

Julia Annas 14/05/2018