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Single Idea 304

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

Full Idea

Are fine things different from or identical to fineness? They are different from fineness itself, but fineness itself is in a sense present in each of them.

Gist of Idea

Beautiful things must be different from beauty itself, but beauty itself must be present in each of them

Source

Plato (Euthydemus [c.385 BCE], 301a)

Book Ref

Plato: 'Early Socratic Dialogues', ed/tr. Saunders,Trevor J [Penguin 1987], p.366


A Reaction

Forms sound particularly unconvincing in this formulation. If something appears to be fine [kalon] I assume that is because of its intrinsic qualities, not because it contains an extra universal feature.


The 8 ideas from 'Euthydemus'

Truth is speaking what is and things that are [Plato]
If speech is making something, then lies are impossible [Plato]
Knowing how to achieve immortality is pointless without the knowledge how to use immortality [Plato]
Only knowledge of some sort is good [Plato]
What knowledge is required to live well? [Plato]
Say how many teeth the other has, then count them. If you are right, we will trust your other claims [Plato]
Beautiful things must be different from beauty itself, but beauty itself must be present in each of them [Plato]
Something which lies midway between two evils is better than either of them [Plato]