...a) Explain Plato’s Theory of Forms Plato’s Theory of Forms is similar to many other beliefs about the world. For instance, Heraclitus’ notion was that we see a world of perception in constant flux of which we have no true knowledge, while Zeno believed that we can see a static unchanging world and it can be grasped through reason. Plato’s theory is strongly based on what is real and what is not. What is real is thought to be perfect, but something cannot be real or perfect if it is transient. He explains that the World of Forms is very different to the World of Shadows. The World of Forms can only be properly understood by philosophers and those who seek knowledge, not by the ignorant or those who do not wish to learn the truth. The Theory of Forms makes a distinction between those objects that are real and those that are only real in our minds. His dialogues, like the Allegory of the Cave, portray knowledge as the process of leaving the cave and going into the sunlight. The people in the cave find their reality in the shadows cast in the cave and assume there can never be anything beyond these shadows. These shadows symbolise how the world that we see is just a shadow or reflection of what is real. For Plato, the real world is not what we see around us, it is only the World of Forms that is real. Plato believes there are two distinct realms of existence which exists simultaneously. This approach to the two different worlds is know as dualism. The world we live in is...
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...Plato’s theory of forms was established to solve the ethical problems humans have today. The purpose of the theory of forms is to show how a human sees the world differently when they perceive it from the aspect of their minds. The senses of humans are much different from what the mind of the human believes. People see what they want to see and do not look beyond the physical features. Society has a small understanding of the real world. To find reality, people must look beyond the physical appearances. In the world outside of the physical world, exists a world where everything is perfect. This perfect world contains all the original ideas or forms of an object. A person believes to see new objects in the physical world but all those objects are just copies of the real idea from the outside world. There only is one of everything. Everything else is just a copy that exists in the thoughts of humans. The beginning of every idea or form is always perfect and copy that precedes it is imperfect. Even if something is new in the material world, that new object will continue to change forever. Through the years, a wooden chair becomes wobbly and unstable, an animal becomes weak and unable...
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...Plato's Theory of Forms Plato was a Greek philosopher, one of the most important figures of the Ancient Greek world and the entire history of Western Philosophy. Plato wrote about many ideas in philosophy that are still talked about today. His writings explored justice, beauty and equality, and also contained discussions in aesthetics, political philosophy, theology, cosmology, epistemology and the philosophy of language. He was fascinated of the distinction between ideal forms and everyday experience. Plato was a student of Socrates and he thougth that Socrates has a pretty good ideas about the world, particulary when he came to his method of asking questions about established ideas. Since we know that Socrates wrote nothing down everything that we know about him comes in the form of dialogues written by Plato. Plato thinks that there is an explanaition for questions and he can answer "what is virtue ?" or "what is justice ?". Plato comes up with idea of answering these questions, with the Theory of Forms - the most imporant philosophical concept. Plato used his Theory of Forms to link the mind and reality. He taught that the real world consisted of universal ideas (forms). The world that people actually see is given form by these ideas and is thus less real because it is always changing, but the forms are eternal and unchangeable. Plato’s Theory of Forms states, that the physical world is not really the ‘real’ world, instead, ultimate reality exists beyond our physical...
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...philosophical different between the ‘fake world’ in which we live and the world of forms. Plato portrays this message through a story of a group of prisoners in a cave who can only see shadows cast upon the wall in front of them. These shadows are created by puppeteers behind them and they believe that the shadows are reality. The message created through this scene is that the real world is full of illusion which hides reality. It subtly represents the human which confines the soul, preventing it from seeking the truth, in this case, reality and the world of the forms. The analogy represents the entire human race that is yet to seek the philosophical truth. It teaches us that the world in which we live is full of illusion and everything we see is just an imitation of the forms. Each element of the analogy is symbolic and holds a meaning which may not be completely obvious until the analogy is further understood. We, as prisoners are believed to be rejecting of new ideas and that the actual process of teaching is distressing and difficult due to the fact that when the prisoner is first released he continuously attempts to return to the cave as it is where he feels comfortable. The way the prisoner is dragged up into reality again reiterates the idea that we are all quite narrow-minded and we don’t want to open up to new thoughts and ideas. When the prisoner begins to differentiate between the world of forms and the world of taught perceptions where everything is just a copy he returns...
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...The Theory of the Forms is also seen as unconvincing as it is highly abstract. Therefore it is too incomprehensible to see the way in which these detached Forms can be practical or have significance in the real world as they are too distant. Even if they do exist, do they have a practical function? Can they help humans make decisions about practical matters? In addition very few people will obtain knowledge of the good therefore can the Forms realistically be understood and accepted by all? In this way the Theory is not convincing as it leaves many basic questions unanswered. We are also to question whether there are Forms for everything, from a stone to a lampshade. Plato rarely discusses physical and material objects but more Forms of concepts such as Justice. While he does mention the Form of a bed in The Republic, we are uncertain as to whether this was a serious remark, some even think it was a joke. Furthermore Plato does not clearly explain the link between the World of Forms and that of Appearances, how do they connect? Furthermore we question how general the Forms are. Is there a Form for every breed of horse or just a general Form of a horse? If a Form is a general idea then there is a risk that it lacks detail. However if every breed has a Form then surely the Form loses it's point. One could argue that every breed of horse has enough in common to reflect to some extent the Form of a horse. Again this may not be an issue for Plato if the Theory of Forms applies...
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...Branches of the Government and the UCC Prof: Dr. Michael Hanners Strayer University 10/27/13 Loading... Branches of the Government and the UCC Flowchart The Flowchart of the 3 branches of the Government (State of Vermont, 2006):- Proposal Introduced as a Bill into the House of Representatives or Senate First Reading Referred to the Committee of the House Report of the Committee to the House Second Reading Debate and First Voting Third Reading and finale debate along with Voting Second Process by the other House Debate and Voting Passing the Bill Signing into Law by the President Implementation/Enforcement of the Bill by the Executive Interpretation and determination of Constitutionality of the Law Loading... The UCC The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a set of laws and regulations said to harmonize the laws of the states of the US concerning commercial activities. The main intention is to harmonize and to ensure uniformity of the regulations for transactions that extend beyond...
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...Realm of The Forms, found in his dialogue ‘The Republic’ is a theory with many criticisms formed of it. I would agree that there are many flaws to Plato’s Theory of The Forms. Although there have been many philosophers defending his theory, I would still argue that the weaknesses outweigh these counter arguments, and that these criticisms are definitely valid. Some may try to defend criticisms posed in Parmenides by Plato himself, that the Theory of The Forms is ambiguous and lacking in detail on issues such as how detailed the forms are. They may argue that for mundane things such as bus tickets, Plato was ambiguous on these as he was primarily interested in metaphysical thinking, rather than concentrating on the material world. They may also defend the lack of explanation on forms of the bad, in that there is no form of the bad, just that there is a lack of good. I however would argue that these are both very weak defences, as using Plato’s ideas and arguments in support of Plato’s theory is extremely unconvincing. Also as the real world is a reflection of the realm of The Forms, why is there a lack of good in this material world? I would argue that the criticism in Parmenides is a very valid one, as i struggle to find any weaknesses to this criticism. Additionally, I would argue that Aristotle’s analysis of the theory of The Forms in his works Metaphysics is very valid as well. This is a very strong argument in that it highlights the ambiguity of Plato’s theory and criticises...
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...their different perspectives of the Theory of Forms. Plato was one of Socrates’ students and he believed in idealism. Plato’s metaphysics which is also referred to as the Theory of Forms explains that there are two sides of the world of Forms. One of them is separated from the reality and one of them is the reality of the world. (Moore, pg 38) Aristotle was Plato’s student and he disagree with Plato’s believes. He was the first philosopher to explain what existence and essence is (Moore, pg. 63). One of Aristotle’s strongest arguments against the Theory of Forms was his Third Man argument. He explains that there must be a third thing or person to tires together a Form (Moore, pg. 65). Plato and Aristotle have excellent views of Theory of Forms and the Third Man argument; however there are points I agree and disagree with. Plato was one of the most important philosophers. Plato spends most of his life living in Greek. He was the first metaphysics thinker Theory of forms was one of Plato most important idea. He believed that we are living in two worlds; the world of appearances and the world of ideas. The appearances world is the world we are living in where we can touch and see around us. Our senses help us guide us in the visible world. In the ideas world, we can only sense it with our thinking. The intelligible world is in our mind, we control what the intelligible world looks like. The material world is a shadow of the real world of the form. Therefore according to Plato we...
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...Theories of knowledge Epistemology or theory of knowledge is the branch of Western philosophy that studies the nature and scope of knowledge. But how much and what do we really know? The debate in this field has been on analyzing the nature of knowledge and how it relates to similar notions such as truth, belief, and justification. The ability to store and retrieve information provides individuals with the ability to form logical thought, express emotions and adapt to the world around them. In order to understand the theories of knowledge it is necessary to investigate the aspects of the theories. The neural network model attempts to explain that which is known about the retention and retrieval of knowledge. Neural network models have been examined for a number of years. While in the mid 1940's the first of the network model appeared, the publications introduced the first models of as computing machines, the basic model of a self-organizing network (Arbib, 1995). Martindlae (1991) states that "The brain does not have anything we could really call a central processing unit, and the brain does not work in a serial fashion. The brain is therefore more like a large number of very slow computers all operating at the same time and each dedicated to a fairly specific task" (p. 10). The more modern is the dual coding approach, which believes that knowledge is a series of complex associative networks. Within these networks there are imagined (visual) and verbal representations...
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...2006). It seeks to investigate the principles of reality; state of things as they exist and whether or not they are observable or comprehensible. Aristoterian hylomorphism Aristotelian hylomorphism is a philosophical theory that was developed by Aristotle, which analyzes substances into matter and form. Aristotle theory seeks to understand the inherent quality in matter that a substance conceives as forms (Statile, et al. 2006). Aristotle’s hylomorphism theory, therefore, seeks to relate matter and form, soul and body and substantial form, accidental form and prime matter. This theory has given rise to many debates by scholars as according to this theory; it is workable especially in proximate and non proximate matter. According to the definition of matter and form hylomorphism theory, is not workable with regards to body and soul. Matter and form According to Aristotle, the fundamental question is not “Is X matter?” but rather “what is the matter of X?” (Statile, et al. 2006). Aristotle, therefore, defines the matter of X as its constituents. According to Aristotle hylomorphism theory, something can be matter without being physical. The theory seeks to explain the regeneration and changes that occur in matter as a result of the matter’s constituents i.e. form, being changed (Statile, et al. 2006). Therefore, Aristotle came up with a proposition that M is X‟s matter if and only if M has the capability...
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...Plato was an Ancient Greek Philosopher who was taught by Socrates. Plato believed the world we live in a world of appearances, however he also believed that there is a world beyond, one containing forms which was the world of ideas which he the world of the forms. Forms are the general realities or ideals versions of something. Forms in Plato’s eyes where perfect versions of something, and in the world of the appearances they are many particulars which have copies or impact versions which imitate the perfect version of the form. The world of the forms is an epistemology which can only be used by tapping into the intelligible world without using your senses. For example in the world appearances they are many types of cats but in the world of the forms there is only one perfect version of that cat. Plato’s analogy of the cave is a way to interpret Plato theory of the forms and his idea about the universe. Plato’s analogy begins with the prisoners sat in the cave, chained together, and facing a wall preventing them to see or to gain any movement: a fire blazes behind them and on the other side of a passage way. Along the pass way men carrying statues and talking casting shadows on the wall which the prisoners face which made the prisoners it is a puppet because that is all they have seen all their life. When a prisoner escapes the cave, he realises that the shadows casted are real people and that they is another world with a sun outside which at first he is blinded by. When he returns...
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...read it and tell me what you think. Here it is…. Epitaphs Plato v.Aristotle Plato: Aristotle, may I ask you why you disagree with my theory of forms? Can you explain, or reveal your thoughts as to why? Better yet, express a theory you could replace my theory with. Aristotle: Sure, do you mind answering some questions for me? Just to confirm my understanding of your theory. Plato: Certainly. Aristotle: Is it safe to assume that the way you define the word ‘form’ in your theory of forms is synonymous with the word ideas? Plato: Yes. Aristotle: Ideas are perfect as long as they are in your mind. Would you agree with that statement? Plato: Yes, I would agree with that statement. Aristotle: This could be taken a step forward, a step so far that even you will disagree with it. Would you like to hear my progression based on your theory? Plato: Sure. Aristotle: According to your theory of form every idea a person has is perfect, and every attempt to bring life to that idea is imperfect. Is that right? Plato: Yes it is. I’ve said this before. Aristotle: Do you realize that someone could very well take your theory and assume you are insulting the Gods, or at the very least someone could interpret it in that way. Plato: What do you mean? You believe that I imply that God’s are flawed? You think that my theory of form can lead someone to believe such as thing? Aristotle: That, and worse. You see, if the idea of something is perfect and to create it...
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...Dr. Andrea Diem-Lane, she mentions that there are six different key theories on the origin of religion. The first theory that may explain where religion originated from is the Biological Theory; In this theory it is believed that religion developed as humans evolved. According to this theory when the human race first started out it is believed that we did not have the neurological notion of religion. But as time passed evolution and natural selection has chosen humans who have evolved to have deeper meaning in life by asking how and why questions and thus giving them a greater chance of survival and be able to procreate to pass on these neurological genes that help them process life this way. The second theory...
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...Mathew Turner 10/9/2014 What caused Charles Darwin to form to form the Natural Selection Hypothesis? For what reasons did Charles Darwin publish the theory that we know as Natural Selection? Was it because he already supported materialism which claims that matter is eternal, before forming this theory? Did he form this theory because he did not want to accept the ethical beliefs that were taught in the region and time period that he lived in? was it his overactive imagination that caused him to form this theory? In eighteen fifty nine Charles Darwin formed a theory that gives an explanation to the question from what or where did mankind come from. Was this theory based on fact, or was it just based on the teachings of materialism philosophers’? The ancient Greek Philosophers Democritus and Leucippus believed in an early form of materialism which they called Atomism. They believed that invisible particles which they called atoms make up everything that exists. During the time period that these Philosophers lived in there was not enough technological advances to even realistically attempt to prove their beliefs as scientific fact. The Ancient Greek Philosophers were the educated community of their time. Like some Darwinism scientists today many of these Ancient Philosophers thought that people should accept their teachings because they were highly educated. Educated people are not always right about everything. A form of materialism called dialectical materialism developed...
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...Mass Communication and Theories Jenny Wunderlich Comm 309 November 3, 2014 Introduction Within Mass Communications, there are multiple theories that are presented. Two of the theories are the Cultivation Theory, and The Agenda-Setting Theory. I enjoy this area because these theories lie under media effects. Media effects expands our behavior whether its positive or negative, and has a huge impact on how people become. The media has become a huge part of society and how people live today. There are many forms of media, but these theories specifically talk mainly about television. People start at such a young age watching television and it affects how they are raised and how they percieve life. Theory 1 The first theory is the Cultivation Theory. This theory is a social theory which examines the long-term effects of television. The primary concept this theory is that the more time that people spend absuing television, the more likely they are to conform to the ideas they are watching. This causes a misconception of reality and what is important. For example, when someone is watching a ton of violence, they are more likely to contribute to that lifestyle than one who didn't watch that. In our textbook, it states, “According to Gerbner, violence is one of the major staples of the TV world” (pg. 366). He is concerned that this changes people's beliefs which then alters their behavior and how they act and approach things. There is something called Institutional Process Analysis, which...
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