Plato’s Theory
of Forms
Reading
Written on
9/9/15
Based on our
reading in class we went over Plato’s Myth of the Cave and how it leads to
reality being divided into universals and particulars. Plato believed that the Ultimate
Form was when the Good and the Beautiful come together. Thus, art was seen as
imitating a copy of a copy. This theory often has a negative connotation to it
as I have experienced in other courses. It is frequently argued this theory
proposes a problem to the physical world because if what is real in the metaphysical
the physical doesn’t necessarily matter. Therefore, people can stop caring
about everything physical including their own body. However, I would like to argue
that this is a more simplistic view of Plato. I believe he holds the real to be
eternal and unchangeable by the physical world and physical objects don’t
compare to the metaphysical. They may hold meaning of the reality in the
metaphysical but they themselves cannot reach that state of perfection. Take
for example a wedding ring. The ring represents love. If the ring were to get broken,
then would the love merely disappear? Of course not. The ring itself is an
object the love it represents is more real than any ring that can be found in
this world. While this is a very basic view of the significance of Plato’s
Theory, it does give a reference point of understanding. For Plato the ultimate good is that which cannot
be duplicated in the physical world. That is why art is seen as a negative for
him. If the truth is in the metaphysical and the material world is the physical,
then the outcome of our experiences here in the material world; art, is a receptacle
and is incapable of holding true beauty.
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