Plato's Theory of Reminiscence and the Dialectic Method

Plato's Theory of Reminiscence: Anamnesis

The theory of reminiscence or anamnesis is a Platonic conception according to which knowledge is recalled. Plato advocates an anthropological dualism, i.e., that the individual is composed of a body and a soul. The body is material, corruptible, mortal, and is part of the world of sensible objects. The soul is the immaterial part of the human being; it is immortal and is attached to the body accidentally.

The Soul and the World of Ideas

The theory of reminiscence defends the argument that the soul lives without the body in the World of Ideas. While there, it collects different ideas and their relationships. Once the soul is embodied, it forgets that knowledge; however, thanks to the intervention of a teacher, it remembers this forgotten knowledge. We only succeed in awakening these ideas if we climb the path of knowledge through the dialectic. The theory of reminiscence is the complement of the Socratic theory of knowledge and education: teaching is not about bringing insight into the mind of a subject, but encouraging students to discover the truth within.

The Dialectic: A Path to the Intelligible World

The dialectic is the philosophical method proposed by Plato to enter the World of Ideas. In Book VI of The Republic, Plato developed two methods: the mathematical and the dialectical. These two methods differ because the former starts from a hypothesis and draws conclusions. Instead, the dialectic starts from an Idea and rises to reach the Supreme Idea.

The Hierarchy of Ideas and the Role of Love

This hierarchy shows that the World of Ideas is structured, and the Supreme Idea is the one that gives meaning to all other Ideas. The dialectic must perform the reverse route to the former to establish communication between Ideas, gaining an overview of the intelligible world. Plato also tells us how to gain knowledge of the Ideas, noting that love has the capacity to do so. According to Plato, leaving sensible images behind to enter the World of Ideas is the task of the dialectic—that is, the task of the philosopher.

The Allegory of the Line and Forms of Knowledge

Plato discusses this process of recall in Book VI of The Republic and graphically explains it through the Allegory of the Line. He distinguishes between two general forms of knowledge:

• Opinion (Doxa): This is the knowledge of worldly, visible things that are born, become corrupt, and are in a state of becoming. It represents the lower level of knowledge.
• Science (Episteme): This is true knowledge. It is strict, universal, and necessary. These ideas are aimed at the Intelligible World, which is the only real world, reachable through intelligence.