Plato's Theory: Unveiling the Sensible and Intelligible Worlds

The Sensible and Intelligible Worlds in Plato's Philosophy

The Relationship Between the Sensible and Intelligible Worlds

Plato explores the connection between the sensible (perceptible) and intelligible (conceptual) realms through several key ideas:

1. Participation: Ideas are fundamental beings, and physical things gain their existence by participating in these ideas.
2. Imitation: Physical things are created by a Demiurge (divine craftsman) who imitates the eternal Forms or Ideas.
3. Purpose: Ideas serve as the cause of all occurrences, as things strive towards a soul-body ratio idea.

Soul and Body

The union of the soul and body is considered accidental and superficial, with the body acting as a prison for the soul. Plato views the body as an impediment, creating needs and hindering the soul's pursuit of truth. The soul is burdened by material desires. The goal is for the soul to escape the body as quickly as possible, achieved through purification from worldly faults in the realm of Ideas. If this purification isn't completed in one lifetime, the soul is reincarnated.

Plato's Theory of Society

According to Plato, society arises from the mutual benefits it provides, as individuals need each other to fulfill their needs. In The Republic, he outlines a vision of an ideal society composed of three classes:

• Artisans or Producers: This class provides the resources necessary for basic needs through productive labor. They are governed by concupiscence (desire) and guided by temperance (moderation).
• Guardians or Warriors: This class maintains security within the city. Their primary function is irascibility (spirit), and they are guided by strength.
• Rulers: This class is responsible for leading society. They are dominated by the rational function, and their virtue is wisdom.

Plato believes that a just society is one where each individual fulfills their natural role. He proposes a hierarchical structure where individuals possess different characteristics and perform different functions based on their dominant soul and the education they receive. In Plato's view, knowledge is intrinsically linked to the art of governing.

Forms of Government

Plato considers aristocracy (government by the best) to be the ideal form of government. He views tyranny as the worst. Other forms include:

• Timocracy (government by the ambitious, those with income and honor)
• Oligarchy (government by the exploiters)
• Democracy (rule by the people), which Plato sees as a perversion of law and force.