Plato's Arguments for Rationalism - Essay Example

Plato's Arguments for Rationalism Rationalism is simply regarded as the view in which specific items focused on knowledge are known independent of the sense of experience. According to Plato he argues that the sense of experience often fails to provide us with a guarantee that implies that what we do experience is, in fact true. Any information that we receive by relying on the sense of experience is frequently changing and quite unreliable (88). Such information can only be corrected and evaluated with regards to dependability based on certain principles which do not change at all. The unchanging principles are what are referred to as forms and they are the bases of reasoning and thinking in the first place. Therefore, if we can be able to show that a belief or an opinion we hold true is based on these forms of thought that are undoubtable, then we have a strong foundation for the opinion. It is that strong foundation that allows us to be able to think of a belief more often than simply an opinion: that is what allows us to be able to identify that specific belief as justified as well as true, and that is what is referred to as knowledge. In order to possess a justified true belief, there is need to surpass the flux of the physical world that is ever changing and also grasp the permanent order of rational that is behind the flux, that is an order which will illustrate the universal in particular. The grasping aspect is simply an intellectual act that is in its manifestation point in the mind (91). In short, Plato’s arguments can be summarised in the following contest: a) Justification is simply by reason instead of senses. This means that there is need to move away from that world of cave that is explored by our sensory experience and move outside the cave to discover the world of forms by means of reason. b) Objects of knowledge such as forms are necessary, unchanging and external. Therefore, we are looking for the permanent order which underlies the flux. c) The most basic and important knowledge is priori that means that it does not rely on sensory information. Thus this is true knowledge of goodness, of mathematics, of justice and many others. d) Mathematics is simply like a model for the entire knowledge process. This implies that the easiest way that an individual can think of forms is by thinking of mathematical objects being the perfect circle. The theory of form is regarded to as one of Plato’s most powerful theory. It proposes that on top of the physical world that we sense in our midst, there is also another realm based on reality. This kind of realm is intelligible instead of being an observable sphere in existence; it is made up of absolute, unchanging, external, perfect forms that define that which exists imperfectly and fleetingly in our world of senses (95). The forms therefore provide knowledge regarding the objective truth. The theory of forms assists Plato’s epistemological theories in a number of ways. According to Plato, epistemological theories are based on the account of what is meant by knowledge. Through these theories Plato assumes that knowledge is present or it is possible to achieve it and thus he focuses on revealing the conditions that make it possible. The conditions implied in this context which are conceived, concern the rational capacities of humans as well as the object of knowledge themselves (111). With regards to the objects referred to in the epistemological theories, forms are simply regarded as objects of knowledge and thus this is one of the reasons as to how the theory of forms is highly referred to in this context. Plato states that before even we were born our souls simply live according to the realms of the forms and thus they tend to have complete knowledge about the forms (98). Immediately we are born we still retain it but we often do not realise that we have it. The recollection of such knowledge demands that we face some difficulty before we can fully recover that knowledge in our minds. The theory of forms is applied in this context based on the fact that the realm of forms is highly regarded. The realm allows the use of intelligence where there is unchanging, absolute and external, perfect forms that is used to identify that which occurs imperfectly and fleetingly in our world of senses. Therefore, in understanding what is meant by knowledge based on the application of the epistemological theories, the theory of forms greatly supports it due to the realm of forms that addresses knowledge effectively. In the Allegory of the cave Plato focusses on the objects that are outside of the cave and references them to different kind of forms. In this allegory the physical objects illustrate the various forms of the physical objects. For instance, the objects that are seen at night in the sky that is the stars and the moon represent different forms of abstractions such as logic, beauty, justice and numbers (120). The object sun simply represents a form of good that is regarded as the highest among all other forms. It is hence the major organizing principle in which every other form participates. Thus through application of abstraction as well as unchanging principles knowledge is able to be understood. Epistemological theories are able to study source, nature, validity of knowledge and limits by relying on some form of help from the theory of forms (118). In accordance, to that the interest it raises in developing a method that attempts to evaluate the claims that individual know something. The world is viewed based on the aspect of changing objects. Plato claims that the objects can still remain intelligible without having to change their forms. In summary the epistemological theories are focused on knowledge and opinion. Knowledge is focussed on understanding and supported by various concepts of the theory of forms. Opinion is focussed on sense of experience, belief, imagination and hearsay and is supported by particular sensible objects, images, reflection and shadows which are given by the theory of forms. In my view Plato, provides enough support with respect to the concept of rationalism. This is because he clearly develops his ways in this concept based on the set rule of rationalism. Plato argues his cases that tend to strip the information that is received from sense of experience. He efficiently embraces the theory of forms as well as the epistemological theories in order to bring out what is meant by knowledge from an intriguing perspective. Secondly, he is able to construct accounts on how reason in some form tends to provide more information about the world. I strongly believe that based on the requirements that a rationalism concept requires Plato has been able to provide the relevant support for his arguments regarded on rationalism. Reference Melchert, Norman. The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Read More