What is Platonic Idea in Philosophy
The Platonic idea is a fundamental concept in the philosophy of Plato, one of the most influential philosophers of Ancient Greece. Plato believed that ideas, or forms, were eternal, unchanging entities that existed in a world beyond the physical world. These ideas were considered perfect and transcendent, and served as models for all things that exist in the sensitive world.
The Theory of Ideas
Plato's theory of ideas is one of the main contributions to Western philosophy. According to Plato, the sensible world is just an imperfect copy of the world of ideas. While the sensible world is changeable and subject to imperfections, the world of ideas is stable and perfect. Ideas are considered the true realities, while the things we perceive with our senses are just shadows or reflections of ideas.
The Nature of Ideas
Plato believed that ideas were immaterial and eternal entities. They existed in a world beyond the physical world, which he called the world of ideas or the intelligible world. Ideas were considered independent of human minds and existed even before they were perceived by us. They were seen as pure and perfect forms, which served as models for all things that exist in the sensitive world.
The Idea of Good
One of the most important ideas in Plato's philosophy is the idea of good. According to Plato, good is the supreme idea, the source of all other ideas and the cause of all goodness and beauty in the sensible world. Good is considered the ultimate goal of human life and the principle that governs the universe. For Plato, knowing the good is achieving truth and wisdom.
The Relationship between Ideas and Things
Plato believed that the things we perceive with our senses are just imperfect copies of ideas. Sensible things are changeable and subject to imperfections, while ideas are stable and perfect. Sensible things are just reflections of ideas, which are true realities. Plato compared the relationship between ideas and things to the relationship between an object and its shadow.
The Reminiscence Theory
Plato developed the theory of reminiscence to explain how we acquire knowledge of ideas. According to this theory, our souls already knew ideas before we were born, when they were still in the world of ideas. When we are born, we forget this knowledge, but we can recover it through philosophy and the contemplation of ideas. The process of remembering this knowledge is called anamnesis.
Aristotle's Critique
Plato's theory of ideas was criticized by his most famous disciple, Aristotle. Aristotle agreed with Plato that ideas were universal and immutable, but disagreed that they existed in a world separate from the sensible world. For Aristotle, ideas exist in individual things, and not in a separate world.
The Influence of the Platonic Idea
The Platonic idea exerted a significant influence on Western philosophy. His conception of a world of ideas separate from the sensible world influenced later thinkers, such as Plotinus and Augustine of Hippo. The idea of the good as the cause of all goodness and beauty has also had a lasting impact on ethics and aesthetics.
The Relevance of the Platonic Idea in the Present Day
The Platonic idea continues to be discussed and debated today. Although many contemporary philosophers reject the conception of a world of ideas separate from the sensible world, Plato's influence can be seen in several areas of knowledge. The search for truth and wisdom, the importance of ethics and aesthetics, and the notion that there are objective standards of beauty and goodness are themes that are still explored and discussed.
Conclusion
The Platonic idea is a fundamental concept in Plato's philosophy. According to Plato, ideas are eternal and immutable entities that exist in a world beyond the physical world. They are considered perfect and transcendent, and serve as models for all things that exist in the sensitive world. Plato's theory of ideas had a significant impact on Western philosophy and continues to be discussed today.
