Plato: OCR Religious Studies

[@lwdy9652]

For those needing criticisms of Plato's Theory of The Forms: - Even if we have never experienced something we can still imagine the perfect something in our minds which would therefore suggest that Plato's forms are devalued as it cannot be recollection (from The Form Of The Good) if we can already picture it (Hume) - The world is not a set of definable categories which the human mind can perfectly divide up. This makes it hard to believe in the forms if not everything can be pictured in its perfect element (Wittgenstein) - "Plato never offers an argument for the Forms that would establish them as entities suitable for a theory" (Annas) - The idea that the Forms exist in some kind of metaphysical world has no evidence and since there are already convincing scientific explanations available, the claim that the Forms are believable is incoherent. (Chomsky) - In our world, empirical knowledge is the most popular and since Plato does not provide this, his Realm Of The Forms cannot exist to any degree. - Some might suggest that Plato was too determined to achieve certainty and his thinking was too dystopian (Popper).

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

This is very useful. Thanks :)

[@LibS71]

These are so helpful, I'm so grateful.

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

You are very welcome! Pleased you found useful :)

[@Diamzzzz]

Thank you for all your help it is much appreciated

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

You are welcome, pleased I can help :)

[@magicalsunshine1420]

Could you do some videos on essay structure? I am really struggling on a clear structure to get a good grade! Thanks.

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

There are lots of materials on the blog with links to videos to help structure essays. Also mark with me videos, where I mark top grade answers, on the blog membership :)

[@hannahbeaumont2112]

Does Plato ever give any reasoning for his definitive statement that in order for something to be good/perfect it HAS to be unchanging? I understand why he thinks our world is constantly changing, Heraclitus, etc. But why does that automatically make it bad, why can't changing things be good?

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

Great question Hannah, I think it would be down to the logic of opposites. This world changes so must be a world that doesn't change. Change often means that something gets better/bad, whereas if something doesn't change it is because it is perfect, perfection cannot improve thus change :)

[@runax.]

Form never changes all that changes is what we experience Forms give us understanding even if we see it differently Form = concept - everything we see in this world is vague shadow of what really is Once you gain true knowledge of the world of forms you gain episteme

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

Very good summary :)

[@hajirakousar3990]

If Plato uses the theory of opposites then how come there isn't a bad Form? Where does evil fit in?

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

Great question 🙂 this world is the opposite, everything in this world is a bad or imperfect version of Forms. Hope this makes sense

[@user-rq6kq7cq6z]

you are a life safer!!! thank you so muchhh

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

I'm so pleased I could help :)

[@ambermalik5839]

This was very helpful. Could you please make more videos. Much appreciated

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

Pleased you find my videos helpful :)

[@Grace-vu8vf]

i used to hate plato and now i've watched this i love the bloke hahah

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

That is so good to hear Grace as Plato is great!! 😀

[@lwdy9652]

The analogy of the cave summarised: 1. there are prisoners chained to a rock facing a wall 2. A fire is constantly lit behind the prisoners allowing shadows to appear on the wall which they face 3. People walk behind the prisoners and in front of the fire, showing shadows 4. prisoners learn through the "shadow world" they are subjected to but never fully understand what they see 5. eventually a prisoner breaks free and journeys out of the cave to where he can now see the "true form" of all things 6. When the prisoner looks up at the sun he is blinded and understands that it is the source of all things Sun = Form of The Good "Shadow Realm" = Realm of Appearences

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

Nice summary :) Links to the original text always work well too.

[@AmyStansfield]

thank you! so helpful

[@IThinkThereforeITeach]

I'm really pleased, hoping to record some more soon :)