The Real World - Plato's Theory of Forms

I find Plato’s theory of Forms very interesting. Plato believed there were two worlds. One was the world we live in and the other was a world of Forms (Solomon 66). Understanding conceptual truth is a large part of understanding Forms (Solomon 72). Forms are a complicated subject, but I will try to break it down.

Being able to understand the meaning behind Plato’s two worlds is an important part of understanding Forms. “The world in which we live [is] a world of constant change or a world of Becoming” (Solomon 66). The other world is considered the real world, but the world we live in is still somewhat real. Our world is just not as real as the other is (Solomon 67). “Our world is like a set of shadows of the real world” (Solomon 71). It is “a mere imitation of the bright originals” (Solomon 71). In order to fully grasp the world described above we must also understand the other world.

The “world of Forms [is] an unchanging world, the real world or the world of Being” (Solomon 66). This world never changes and will never end (Solomon 66). Plato believed that a person’s only chance to have a good life lied with the extent of their knowledge of pure Forms (Solomon 71). Our connection between the two worlds is another part of Plato’s metaphysics. The link between the two worlds “is the immortality and immateriality of the human soul” (Solomon 74). Our souls already know about the other world when we are born. That knowledge is known as innate. When we experience something, the connection allows us to “remember” it. We already know the truth about the other world; we just have to remember it (Solomon 74).

Knowing the definition of a Form is also very important. “The Forms are what different things of the same kind have in common and what makes them things of the same kind” (Solomon 71). Granny Smith apples and Golden Delicious apples both have the same Form therefore, according to Plato, your knowledge of its Form would allow you to recognize the apples. Plato’s beliefs state that we can recognize all apples, regardless of their appearance, simply because they are part of the Form apple. Because we know that apples are fruits, we can identify that the Form apple includes the Form fruit. Today we can “say that the meaning of the English word ‘[apple]’ already includes the concept of ‘being a [fruit]’. Accordingly, philosophers refer to this kind of truth as conceptual truth” (Solomon 72). This term did not exist in Plato’s time.

I am intrigued by Plato’s theory of Forms, but I am not sure I believe it. Though his theory seems somewhat plausible, I have trouble believing in something that does not have physical, legitimate proof. However, I do not reject his theory completely. I do think the logic behind conceptual truth, which ties into his theory, is real.

References:

Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy. New York: Oxford UP, 2008.

Image Source:

“Apple-picking in California.” Los Angeles Times September 22, 2008. 16 Oct. 2009

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/apple-picking-
in-cal-2818/