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Single Idea 12042

[from 'Timaeus' by Plato, in 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / a. Platonic Forms ]

Full Idea

In the ancient world Plato's Theory of Forms was mostly seen as one aspect of Plato's 'physics' or theory of the world (rather than as 'metaphysics').

Gist of Idea

Plato's Forms were seen as part of physics, rather than of metaphysics

Source

report of Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE]) by Julia Annas - Ancient Philosophy: very short introduction Ch.5

Book Reference

Annas,Julia: 'Ancient Philosophy: a very short introduction' [OUP 2000], p.81


A Reaction

This is how I also see the theory, but then I am inclined to see religion as a rather startling branch of speculative physics. Annas cites 'Timaeus' as the key text for this.