Plato's Forms
The theory of Forms may be understood best in terms of mathematical entities. ThisTheory was his way of explaining how the same universal term can refer to so many particularthings or events. An individual is human to the extent that they resemble or participate. In theForm "humanness" if "humanness" is defined in terms of being a rational animal and humanbeing to the extent that he or she is rational. An object is beautiful to the extent that itparticipates in the Idea, or Form of beauty. Everything in the world of space and time is, what itIs by virtue of it's resemblance to, or participation in, it's universal Form. The supreme Form isthe Form of Good, which like the sun in the myth of the cave, illuminates all the other ideas. The theory of Forms is intended to explain how one comes to know and also how things haveThe forms are eternal and changeless, but enter into a partnership with changeable matter, to produce the objects and examples of concepts, we perceive in the temporal world. These are always in a state of becoming, and may participate in a succession of forms. The ever-changing temporal world can thus, only be the source of opinion. P
Therefore, how can this world of Forms be "heavenly" when disgusting and rather vulgar physical things are present as well? Take vomit, for example. The facts that the theory is expounded over such a vast expanse in the text of the thirty-two dialogues, and that Plato often allows himself to develop an image or allegory to a point of apparent contradiction, have made it easy for later thinkers to construct criticisms based on a few words taken in isolation. These Forms are non-physical, permanent, eternal, and invisible. Philosophers have criticized Plato's theory of Forms for centuries. While the notion of Forms is essential to Plato's philosophy, over years of philosophical study, it has been difficult to understand what these Forms are supposed to be, and the purpose of their existence. Although this memory is not readily accessible to the conscious mind, its presence is sufficient, to enable our limited perceptions. Thus a form exists, for objects like tables and rocks and for concepts, such as beauty and justiceIn assessing the Theory of Forms it is important to remember that Plato was a profound language theorist. Among other things, Plato is known for his exploration of the fundamental problems of natural science, political theory, metaphysics, theology and theory of knowledge; many of his ideas becoming permanent elements in Western thought. Plato sums up his views in an image of ignorant humanity, trapped in the depths of a cave and not even aware of its own limited perspective. Beliefs derived from experience of such objects are therefore vague and unreliable, whereas principles of mathematics and philosophy, discovered by inner, rationalistic meditation on the Forms, constitute the only real "knowledge". It is a grand image that identifies levels of reality, and metaphysical functionalities that Plato reasoned must exist, to make any sense of the world. They mistake shadows on the walls of the cave as true reality, when in fact reality lies in the world outside of the cave, the world of Forms. The sunlight is discovered with a final, almost mystical awareness of Goodness as the origin of everything that exists. He thought that propositions derived from sensory experience have, at most, a degree of probability; they are not certain. Such a person is then the best equipped to govern in society, having a knowledge of what is ultimately most worthwhile in life and not just a knowledge of techniques; but that person will frequently be misunderstood by those ordinary folks back in the cave who haven't shared in the intellectual insight.
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