Beneficial Platonic Perplexity

Beneficial Platonic Perplexity

Thesis: Many of Plato’s works result in aporeia, specifically in Laches. Socrates and Laches conclude their conversation regarding courage in this exact state. This is positive in many ways especially that it is progressive toward gaining more knowledge on the topic regardless of the confusion resulting.

When the state of aporeia is reached while concluding an argument, it may seem like a stopping point. This is a false supposition because it is much more than that, it is what continues further thought processes. While becoming involved in an argument a person is motivated to reach a conclusion, clearing any doubt. If this does not happen because perplexity is the result instead, the person possesses more determination. Hitting a stopping point is essentially the beginning of coming to a conclusion because of the motivation to continue beyond that idea.

Refer to a sporting event whereas if the score is tied at the end the game must continue. Making this point analogous, the tie is a stopping point in the game because neither team has reached the desired outcome. Due to this situation the players on the team strive to score and win the game which is similar to ending an argument. If the team was winning by a substantial amount, they would not be as motivated to score and end the game. This would be because they are principally aware of the final score which involves their victory. Realizing that the result is known does not produce any further efforts unlike a situation with an unknown result.

If aporeia did not exist arguments would lack flexibility. With each person being willing, a conclusion would be sustained giving fundamentally everything an answer. With this being noted, philosophy would no...

... middle of paper ...

...rt the argument and that will carry them through. This determination means they are prepared for changes in thoughts and aporeia is not an applicable idea. Also, everyone always has an opinion therefore aporeia is not a reasonable issue.

Sometimes someone’s opinion is not readily available because they have not been placed in the correct circumstance. Also, it is possible that they have not altered their perspective in ways to access their opinion which is what aporeia entails. When someone is puzzled they view different aspects of the topic and therefore come to different conclusions and without doing this they may misbelieve that they do not have an opinion.

Overall, although many may believe that being a state of perplexity as negative, it is beneficial. Aporeia progresses more thought in addition to stimulating the mind further than what was thought capable.