Platos Philosophical Analysis of the Nature of Knowledge - Essay Example

? Nature of Knowledge Plato’s philosophical analysis on the nature of knowledge is one of the cherished doctrines in all the works that he has involved himself in. In essence, he gives the analysis of the nature of knowledge as one that revolves around humanity through understanding of nature in terms of reality perspective. He argues that this doctrine is one that is characterized by one major enduring within the possession of humanity (Cooper 1). According to his findings, the horizon of life is bound by things that human beings see, touchy and handle. In addition, this horizon becomes indefinitely enlarged through the addition of a different type of human being, the type of timeliness, and abstract reality. Of importance to note is that, universals are made up of a system where particular laws are made under an ultimate law. Moreover, the virtues involved emanate from a general principle, over and above, the mathematical theorems of one fundamental truth. It is worth noting that the basic categories in, which universal are brought together revolves around beauty, truth, goodness (Cooper 2). Apparently, goodness is the greatness of the three. Understanding the nature of knowledge must entails the idea types which it belongs to, the eternal laws where it could be said to be a passing instance, as well as, the context in which it possibly fits in. For instance, the study of the earth entails perceiving its place with regards to the solar system, with the inclusion of it being a stage in the heavenly bodies, over and above, clarifying that its motion takes place in accordance to the gravity law (Cooper 3). Plato has his argument placed in the fact that knowledge cannot be achieved by use of experience but by reasoning, use of sense where they are meant to push the reasoning towards the consciousness of what it already has although at the extreme opposite, it could mislead the conscious. Apparently, experience has never been used to produce knowledge because the principles used in knowledge are universal and are very crucial in this doctrine as compared to experience that displays specific and casual ideas. In essence, experience must be preceded by something already in mind that could be used to interpret the necessary impressions of concerned human beings. Theory of Knowledge through Astronomy Consequently, Plato emphasis that human knowledge is inborn especially when he depicts an instance of a slave boy who was not educated and upon being asked question by some philosophers, he was able to think critically and hence attempted and displayed arithmetic and geometry knowledge. Through this instance, Plato argues that teaching only evokes what is already underlying. Simply, a theory of knowledge is used to provide a clear conception of education (Meynell 13). In light of this, Plato uses dialectical reasoning particularly in astronomy where he is said to have attempted to use the elimination method giving the general analysis of astronomy. In fact, he emphasis on studying astronomy through mean of problems, over and above, eliminating the motion that is related to the stars in the sky. In the early days, Plato demonstrated a persuasive mode when he argues through writing on the use of embroidery in the sky as a model in studying other things that are associated to the nature of knowledge (Meynell 16). In reference to Timaeus, Plato is demonstrated in the modern world as a philosopher who expounded critically on the nature of knowledge. Apparently, he is quite impressed by the universal’s order and beauty especially through his mandate of explaining the universe in terms of purpose, and benefits (Meynell 19). Views of Aristotle about the nature of change represent a departure from Plato It is apparent that there are distinct concepts of change evidenced by the transition of Plato philosophical concepts to Aristotle concepts. Nevertheless, this is arguably as a result of the ignorance of Aristotle complete system. Basically, Aristotle’s definition of philosophy tends to go in line with Plato’s. For example, Plato termed philosophy as a science of the idea. On the other hand, Aristotle believed that philosophy should be viewed as a science of the universe essence in regard to what is real and actual (Politis 329). In another dimension, Plato pointed out that ideas are self existent and that they do not depend on the ever changing objects of the senses. In responding to Plato’s claims in regard to ideas, Aristotle claimed that objects exist above the universals. Nevertheless, he asserted that universal principles are real. In relation to knowledge, Plato had the view that this concept appears into two categories; real knowledge and opinion. On his view, Aristotle considered knowledge to be the only object of needed to be accorded full attention by the true philosopher. He, however, differed with Plato by introducing gradual stages that represent universal principles (Politis 329). In regard to inductive methods established by Aristotle, he believed that they are supposition that handle things as they are. In fact, Aristotle argued that the only reliable knowledge is the one gained through a series of sense perception. On his side, Plato believed that man is capable of beholding reality and reality belongs to the soul. With such deliberations, it is apparent that the teaching of Aristotle, though derived from his own analysis of nature of change, may be argued to be the exoteric account of platonic truth. In addition, as Aristotle argued that men have been produced through generation after generation and, which has no beginning, this is in contrast with what Plato had pointed out that mankind did not bring about itself. The role Aristotle’s conception of motion plays in his overall understanding of the global features of the physical universe. In his arguments, Aristotle’s view of nature revolves around metaphysical and a physical outlook. In one dimension, Aristotle believed that nature is every substance. Conversely, he viewed nature as physical elements since it involves their properties, movements or change (Hetherington 43). Although initially, Aristotle insight as basically on focusing on living things, he is cited for having distinguished between nature and life. In regard to how nature can be perceived, Aristotle asserted that nature is non demonstrable because there is no proof about it, but it exists as a principle of knowledge. In this regard, it is apparent that Aristotle has no regard to any scientific theory that attempts to demonstrate the existence of nature. Therefore, to him, the only way nature can be explained is by endorsing the concept of change. Analytically, it is through this concept of change that Aristotle contemplated on that modern physics is derived from. For example, the concept of potential energy is attributed to the notion that trough change, the energy will turn to kinetic energy (Hetherington 44). Another example could be when one says that a piece of metal malleable, it means that there is a probability that the form of the metal can change with time, so that through the act of hammering it, it can be changed into different shapes. Nevertheless, some aspects of Aristotle’s concept of change have been contested on in regard to the change of nature of the substance in question. For example, when a substance is said to be cold, a change initiation like lighting fire on it can change the nature of the substance into becoming hot. In this regard, there seems to be a contradiction of the change of the status of the substance nature. On the other hand, Aristotle is cited to have asserted that nature contains principles of motion and rest. In this regard, it is no that work of physics to make discoveries of these principles. Nevertheless, these principles cannot in anyway change the nature, but can only investigate why the nature is in that condition. In conclusion, Aristotle argues that any nature, in this case he refers to heavy objects, have principles of motion, which make them to get into a downward motion. Works Cited: Cooper, John. Knowledge, Nature, and the Good: Essays on Ancient Philosophy. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.2004.Print. Hetherington, Norriss. Planetary motions: a historical perspective. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2006. Print. Meynell, Hugo. Redirecting Philosophy: Reflections on The Nature Of Knowledge From Plato To Lonergan. Toronto [u.a.] University of Toronto Press. 1998. Print. Politis, Vasilis. Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Aristotle and the Metaphysics. New York: Routledge, 2004. Print. Read More