Single Idea 12043

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

Full Idea

Despite a widely misinterpreted passage in the Republic, Plato does not think that there is a Form for every general term; Forms are not what came to be called universals.

Gist of Idea

Forms are not universals, as they don't cover every general term

Source

report of Plato (The Republic [c.371 BCE]) by Julia Annas - Ancient Philosophy: very short introduction Ch.5

Book Reference

Annas,Julia: 'Ancient Philosophy: a very short introduction' [OUP 2000], p.82


A Reaction

Hm. This is a bit of a blow to someone who has catalogued Platonic Forms under 'Universals'. See also Idea 12042, for what Annas thinks Plato may really have had in mind.

Related Idea

Idea 12042 Plato's Forms were seen as part of physics, rather than of metaphysics [Plato, by Annas]