Single Idea 9343

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 6. A Priori from Reason]

Full Idea

We are convinced that if we are ever to have pure knowledge of anything, we must get rid of the body and contemplate things by themselves with the soul by itself.

Gist of Idea

To achieve pure knowledge, we must get rid of the body and contemplate things with the soul

Source

Plato (Phaedo [c.374 BCE], 066c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'The Last Days of Socrates', ed/tr. Tredennick,Hugh [Penguin 1969], p.111


A Reaction

This seems to be the original ideal which motivates the devotion to a priori knowledge - that it will lead to a 'pure' knowledge, which in Plato's case will be eternal and necessary knowledge, like taking lessons from the gods. Wrong.