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Ideas for 'works', 'Timaeus' and 'Metaphysics: a very short introduction'

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5 ideas

8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / a. Platonic Forms
Plato's Forms were seen as part of physics, rather than of metaphysics [Plato, by Annas]
     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').
     From: report of Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE]) by Julia Annas - Ancient Philosophy: very short introduction Ch.5
     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.
Something will always be well-made if the maker keeps in mind the eternal underlying pattern [Plato]
     Full Idea: Whenever the maker of anything keeps his eye on the eternally unchanging and uses it as his pattern for the form and function of his product the result must be good.
     From: Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE], 28b)
In addition to the underlying unchanging model and a changing copy of it, there must also be a foundation of all change [Plato]
     Full Idea: In addition to an eternal unchanging model and a visible and changing copy of reality, there must be a third part, the receptacle and nurse of all becoming and change.
     From: Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE], 49b)
     A reaction: cf Aristotle's criticism in Metaphysics
For knowledge and true opinion to be different there must be Forms; otherwise we are just stuck with sensations [Plato]
     Full Idea: If intelligence and true opinion are different, then the forms must exist, but if they are the same, then what our senses perceive must be the most certain reality.
     From: Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE], 51d)
8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / b. Partaking
The universe is basically an intelligible and unchanging model, and a visible and changing copy of it [Plato]
     Full Idea: Our basic description of the universe contained an intelligible and unchanging model, and a visible and changing copy of it.
     From: Plato (Timaeus [c.349 BCE], 48e)