Plato's Dualism and the Theory of Forms

Plato's Theory of Ideas and Ontology

The author explains the Theory of Ideas. For Plato, there are two worlds: the world of Ideas and the Sensible world. This is explained through the Myth of Timaeus, which describes the origin of the world.

The Myth of Timaeus and the Demiurge

There are three key elements involved in creation:

• The Demiurge
• Matter
• Ideas

The world emerges and is created as the Demiurge models Ideas, using matter to construct reality. Matter is what makes reality imperfect, as it is used to create the objects of the sensible world. Consequently, there is a higher reality and a defective reality caused by material constraints.

The Intelligible vs. The Sensible World

Immaterial entities exist; they are absolute, immutable, and universal. These are discovered by thought and are located in a higher world, whereas the physical world is perceived by the senses. Sensible things are merely copies of these entities, the Ideas. According to this theory, reality is divided into two different and conflicting worlds: the eternal and unchanging world of Ideas, and the physical universe, the world of sense.

Ideas are intelligible properties. The purpose of this theory was twofold:

1. To combat the relativism of the Sophists, who believed things are only what they seem to each individual.
2. To answer the great problems of being, science, and truth, preserving the multiplicity of beings and the reality of motion while finding the ground of truth in stable, absolute objects: Ideas.

The Nature and Ascent of Knowledge

Ideas are the authentic reality; they are immutable, eternal, indivisible, and incorporeal. They are grasped only by intelligence through a dialectical process. It is the mathematician and philosopher who corresponds to the dialectical ascent in the knowledge of Ideas, reaching up to the Idea of Good.

The sensible world has opposite characteristics to the intelligible world: it is the world of becoming; it is apparent, multiple, and changing. It is known by the senses and exists through participation. It is begotten, not eternal. The Demiurge manufactures the world modeled on the Ideas. The world possesses order, reason, and beauty due to the Ideas.

The Hierarchy of Ideas

These Ideas follow a hierarchy (represented as a Pyramid):

• The Idea of Good
• Beauty and Justice
• Moral Virtues
• Mathematical Ideas
• Ideas representing the physical world

This hierarchy explains the order of existence. If we know the Idea of Good, we know the other ideas, since they all stem from it.