Catherine Bennett MLS 610 Dr. Ruzicka Final Paper 11/29/2014 Story of Passion of the Western Mind Passion of the Western Mind was a class built around the philosophy of the western mind thinkers and how philosophy has helped develop our minds, our beliefs and our ways of thinking. The course was broken up into three different sections. The sections included the Classical Era, the Christian Translation, and the Quest for New Meaning. In the Classical Era of this class we study the writings of Plato. The readings that were given included the Apology, Phaedo, Timaeus, Laws Books, and Republic Books. In these readings we examined the view of the soul and the ideas of the universe and how they were related and connected. The soul was viewed as the …show more content…
This is where we break away from the normal concepts of the psyche and cosmos. We stray from those ideas of their connections and purpose and turn instead to a place where man had no purpose in the universe. Our philosophers try to fill this void with different reasons as to our purpose in this universe. Our philosophers for this unit are Galileo, Wordsworth, and Dewey. Starting off in Unit 1 we will begin our story with the first text of the course which was reading Richard Tarnas’ Passion of the Western Mind. Tarnas covered a few concepts during the first 40 pages. The first of these concepts was the idea of Archetypal Forms. Platonism revolves around this main idea that pushed the existence of archetypal ideas and forms. The question Plato wanted to answer was “What is the precise relation between the platonic Forms of Ideas and the empirical world of everyday reality?” Plato uses the words idea and eidos which mean idea and form. Plato’s concept was that a certain object could be better understood as an expression of a particular Idea. The Idea was considered an Archetype while the object expressing this archetype was a form. For example you may see a dog but it is not actually a dog but instead it is the form of the Archetype dogness which is the true perfect form. An example that Tarnas gives us of this concept is someone who is beautiful is only taking on the attribute of the absolute Form of …show more content…
In Phaedo the most important philosophical purpose is the understanding of the Theory of Forms that Socrates explains on his death bed. The first theory is the Argument from Opposites. This is meant that everything comes out of the opposite and in his mind life will come from death. The second theory is the Theory of Recollection which believes that we can recollect knowledge that we have forgotten through proper questioning. The third is the Argument from Affinity which clarifies what is immortal and what is perishable. The soul is believed to be immortal even though the body is perishable and is thought that the soul can live even though the body has perished. The last theory is Positing the unchanging and invisible Forms as the cause of all things in this world. Life is essential for the soul and therefore the soul could never
all they find their" (P46). Phillips picks up on Plato's idea of "purification", arguing that this refers to the differentiation between doing an apparent morally commendable deed, but impurely (essentially for the good of the doer) and acting morally for the right reason (for the sake of the good). As for the question of whether Phillips's conception of immortality is more valuable than any other concept of immortality? Well, Phillips, being a philosopher, would certainly argued for the value of the truth over falsity. But whether those of a non- philosophical disposition could find meaning, and those of a spiritually insecure disposition could if find solace in Phillips's conception of immortality is perhaps doubtful.
The main theme behind the "Phaedo" is Socrates' readiness and willingness to die, because of his belief of immortality. Socrates believed that when his body ceased to exist anymore, that his soul would leave and join that of the forms, where he would be eternally. Socrates believed so strongly in this, that not only did he not fear his death, he welcomed it. He believed that only when the soul separated from the body, is a person able to be truly enlightened and gain all knowledge. This "enlightenment" has been Socrates' life long goal of discovering the truth. Even at his hour of death, Socrates showed no hesitation. However, Socrates' friends did not believe so strongly, and took some great convincing by Socrates, to allow his friends to be okay with his death. The two proofs that Socrates used to convince his friends are the "Doctrine of Opposites" and the "simple and composite theory.
Plato’s view on existence can be understood by discussing his theory of Forms. The theory of Forms or Ideas is about the existence of ideas in higher form of reality, the existence of a reality inhabited by forms of all things and concepts. Plato used example of objects such as table and rock and concepts like Beauty and Justice to illustrate the notion of Forms. Plato further describes Forms as a being possessed by concepts. For example, Virtue has different characters; but they all have a common nature which makes them virtuous.
Phaedo was set in a prison. While in prison, Socrates contemplated whether or not there is an afterlife and whether or not the soul can survive death. He explains that we discuss the soul because it applies to all humans; it’s more personal, closer to us than the nature of being. Socrates adds that he doesn’t fear death because it means fearing your soul. You shouldn’t fear the unknown, but embrace it. Furthermore, he comes to the conclusion that the soul is immortal based on the following 3 arguments.
ABSTRACT: In this paper I address some of John Dewey’s more generally applicable criticisms of the philosophic "tradition," and show how his criticisms stem from his naturalistic approach to philosophy. This topic is important because Dewey gives great insight into discussions that are relevant today regarding the role of philosophy. In 1935 he anticipated many of the criticisms of the "later" Wittgenstein regarding the establishment of post facto standards as a cause, the separation of language from behavior and the privatization of mind—yet Dewey still finds use for metaphysics or "thinking at large." I believe the essence of Dewey’s criticisms are found in a few key distinctions. Therefore, I cover the history of philosophy with blanket criticisms of the blanket categories of "classical" and of "modern" thought. For Dewey, the fundamental error characteristic of both Greek and Modern thinking is the artificial bifurcation of our thoughts, feelings and actions from the natural world. As I see it, the heart of this metaphysical mistake is captured by the distinctions he draws between the "instrumental" and "consummatory," and between the "precarious" and "stable."
Rorty, Amélie. 1980. "Where Does the Akratic Break Take Place". Australasian Journal of Philosophy. Vol. 58, No. 94: 333-346. in Action. Essays in the Philosophy of Mind. Boston: Beacon Press.
Plato: For today’s class Aristotle and I are going to discuss our ideas on the Theory of Form
Plato, like Pythagoras, believes that knowledge of pure Forms and of “Being” is the direct path to someone living a life of salvation and of the highest quality. Plato, like Pythagoras, also believed that all of the forms are geometric figures and mathematical in nature. Also, Plato, like Heraclitus, believed that our world is constantly changing, or in a constant flux. Plato, also agreed with Parmenides, who believed that the real world is not the same as the world of our experience.
He argues that non-physical forms or ideas represent the most accurate reality. There exists a fundamental opposition between in the world like the object as a concrete, sensible object and the idea or concept of the objects. Forms are typically universal concepts. The world of appearance corresponds to the body. The world of truth corresponds with the soul. According to Plato, for any conceivable thing or property there is a corresponding Form, a perfect example of that or property is a tree, house, mountain, man, woman, Table and Chair, would all be examples of existing abstract perfect Ideas. Plato says that true and reliable knowledge rests only with those who can comprehend the true reality behind the world of everyday experience. In order to perceive the world of the Forms, individuals must undergo a difficult
The world has had great and brilliant thinkers who stood apart as greats of all time. Among these great thinkers and writers, the philosopher Plato stands tall. These writers and thinkers played an integral role when it comes to influencing the contemporary thinking of man and how people perceive daily phenomenon. Apparently, these individuals shaped the way people approach different world phenomenon. This has been helpful in understanding the reasons behind these happenings as well as the nature of human beings.
In Plato’s dialogue, the Phaedo, Socrates gives an account of the immortality of the soul. Socrates does this through a series of arguments. He argues that the soul will continue to exist, and that it will go on to a better place. The argument begins on the day of his execution with the question of whether it is good or bad to die. In other words, he is arguing that the soul is immortal and indestructible. This argument is contrary to Cebes and Simmias who argue that even the soul is long lasting, it is not immortal and it is destroyed when the body dies. This paper focuses on Socrates 's first argument for immortality of the human soul, his counter arguments to Cebes and Simmias ' arguments, and an explanation as to why Socrates first argument for the immorality of the soul does not succeed in establishing that the soul is immortal.
If we consider Plato’s ideas abstractions, we shall never grasp his meaning. But if we think of how a great artist sometimes manages to catch the vital meaning of an event on his canvas, we are coming closer to Plato’s theory. Take another example, how many of us have known someone for years when, suddenly, when one day something happens, and we see him for the first time as a “real person.” His personality has become alive and full of meaning in a way, which has nothing to do with his appearance or his attitude. Our two minds seem to look directly at one another. We feel we have a real contact with that person.
The nature of the soul is presented to us in an illustration of a story of a charioteer who has two horses to control: one is white and is good and noble, the other is black and frequently goes of course while it succumbs to temptations. This is how Plato describes the soul in three parts: the charioteer represents reason (which guides), the good white horse represents spirit (which animates and drives on towards glory), and the untamed black horse correlates with desire (which motivates). These three are also in competition with each other; however, for happiness to be obtained, a soul needs all three of these compon...
...have struggled with the nature of human beings, especially with the concept of “self”. What Plato called “soul, Descartes named the “mind”, while Hume used the term “self”. This self, often visible during hardships, is what one can be certain of, whose existence is undoubtable. Descartes’s “I think, therefore I am” concept of transcendental self with just the conscious mind is too simplistic to capture the whole of one’s self. Similarly, the empirical self’s idea of brain in charge of one’s self also shows a narrow perspective. Hume’s bundle theory seeks to provide the distinction by claiming that a self is merely a habitual way of discussing certain perceptions. Although the idea of self is well established, philosophical insight still sees that there is no clear presentation of essential self and thus fails to prove that the true, essential self really exists.
The development of the theory of Ideas in the works of Plato can clearly be seem. First, he was unsure about his theory of Ideas then he began to be sure of his theory and soon he develops a more complex theory of his Ideas. He did this by using both logos and mythos, which are necessary for his arguments.