Plato’s Philosophy: Reality, Anthropology, and Society
Plato’s Theory of Reality (Ontology)
1.1 Theory of Ideas
1.1.1 Introduction
Plato distinguishes between two worlds: the intelligible and the sensible.
1.1.2 Intelligible World
It consists of a plurality of ideas. The ideas are eternal, perfect, immutable, simple, and immaterial. They are the true reality and the true cause of things. They are invisible and can only be perceived by intelligence. The ideas are prioritized, with the idea of Good being the highest.
1.1.3 Sensible World
It is the world of beings subject to generation and corruption. It is an image of the intelligible world and is characterized by multiplicity. It can only be perceived through the senses. It was created by a Demiurge, an intelligent being who ordered the material according to a perfect and eternal model.
Plato distinguishes four degrees of knowledge:
- Conjecture or imagination (Eikasia): knowledge of the sensible world’s images and copies.
- Belief or faith (Pistis): knowledge of sensible realities.
The two upper levels of knowledge provide opinion (knowledge of things of the visible world, the world of becoming, which is changing).
- Discursive Thought (Dianoia): knowledge of mathematical entities.
- Science or Noesis: knowledge of ideas, dialectic.
The two above are intellectual knowledge and provide true knowledge.
Plato’s Conception of Man: Anthropological Theory
1.3.1 Introduction
Man is the accidental union of body and soul.
1.3.2 The Soul
1.3.2.1 Source
Souls are in a heavenly place to contemplate the eternal ideas. Due to a lack of lust, they fall to the sensible world and are embodied in a body, forgetting all the ideas they had seen.
1.3.2.2 Nature
Souls are immortal, indivisible, spiritual, superior to the body, and are the true self.
1.3.2.3 Functions
The soul has three functions: rational (the higher role of man, thought, which makes possible the contemplation of truth), irascible (regulates noble passions like anger and ambition), and concupiscent (regulates ignoble passions and vegetative desires).
1.3.3 The Body
The body is material, imperfect, mutable, despicable, and formed by the Demiurge.
1.3.4 Relationship Between Soul and Body
The union between soul and body is accidental and superficial. The body is a prison for the soul. The body is an evil because it creates needs and prevents the soul from seeking truth. It forces the soul to have material things.
Plato’s Theory of Society
According to Plato, society exists because it generates benefits for man, who needs others to meet their needs. In The Republic, he presents a vision of a perfect society, which consists of three classes:
- The class of artisans or producers, who provide sufficient resources for basic needs through productive work. Their dominant function is concupiscible, and their virtue is temperance.
- The class of guardians or warriors, who maintain security in the city. Their predominant function is irascible, and their virtue is strength.
- The class of rulers, whose mission is to lead society. They are dominated by the rational function, and their virtue is wisdom.
Plato proposes a hierarchical organization in which not all men possess the same characteristics or perform the same functions. Each individual has a dominant soul and must be educated according to the functions that are appropriate for them.