Single Idea 17946

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / b. Partaking]

Full Idea

Only Tallness and nothing else really is tall; everything else merely participates in the Forms and, being excluded from the realm of Being, belongs to the inferior world of Becoming.

Gist of Idea

Only Tallness really is tall, and other inferior tall things merely participate in the tallness

Source

Alexander Nehamas (Introduction to 'Virtues of Authenticity' [1999], p.xxviii)

Book Reference

Nehamas,Alexander: 'Virtues of Authenticity' [Princeton 1999], p.-9


A Reaction

This is just as weird as the normal view (and puzzle of participation), but at least it makes more sense of 'metachein' (partaking).