Philosophy has guided great thinkers towards obtaining a radical grasp on the world. Masterminds like these are born, grow up, and die; yet, their theories tend to impact humanity’s perception of the world. We call them philosophers, although geniuses such as Plato and Aristotle are the leading examples of understanding simple, but uncovered questions that make up our character. For example, what is life? This is a popular question that people have asked themselves from the moment reason kicks in. What is eudaimonia? A question with a valid response answered by the Aristotelian thought into Christianity; which is said to be achieved though the virtuous life. But in fact, these questions can’t compare with the theory of knowledge that’s perceived from multiple points of views by the Pre-Socratics. Epistemology is a word philosophers use to define knowledge. Nevertheless, Plato and Aristotle’s theory of knowledge led our generation to visualize and interpret ourselves in a defined way. Their two different views in knowledge share a common idea, which is that knowledge must be based on a systematic method. Without their guidance, our ability to grasp our doubts would become untenable. I will present their theories of knowledge by comparing and contrasting Plato and Aristotle’s theory of knowledge. They both had many differences, but they came together on simple things. Their vibrant thinking in the world unraveled mysteries that come together to this day.
Socrates was the first philosopher to uncover the theory of knowledge but Plato created its origin. Protagoras theory states, “Man is the measure of all things”. Plato took his theory further and mentioned; “there is no absolute knowledge: one person’s views about the world is as ...
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...be the realm of forms through his epistemology and metaphysics. In disagreement, Aristotle relied on his senses to study the natural sciences. Even though he mentioned that the human mind is the smallest organ in our body, people still use some of his theories. Aristotle agreed with Plato that knowledge is something that’s true and it must be justified. Their metaphysics caused us to think way beyond our nature and explore distinctive ways of viewing everything that exists and not exist in our presence. What defines philosophy? The Greek words “wisdom” and “love”, which seeks the quest for knowledge. Now, all these questions that we ask ourselves about life and the meaning of our existence is found in the minds of our most famous philosophers. To find answers, we have to start through the pre-Socratics period to understand the basics of their knowledgeable theories.
In the field of philosophy there can be numerous answers to a general question, depending on a particular philosopher's views on the subject. Often times an answer is left undetermined. In the broad sense of the word and also stated in the dictionary philosophy can be described as the pursuit of human knowledge and human values. There are many different people with many different theories of knowledge. Two of these people, also philosophers, in which this paper will go into depth about are Descartes and Plato. Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy and Plato's The Republic are the topics that are going to be discussed in this paper.
Only those who love knowledge and contemplate on the reality of things will achieve understanding of the forms. Philosophers, who by definition are knowledge lovers, are the only beings who can reach true knowledge. This concept has to be taken a step further because in The Republic, Plato states that philosophers should be the rulers since they are the only ones who hold the form of the good. Plato seems to be saying that it is not enough to know the forms of tables or trees, one must know the greatest form--form of the good--in order to rule.
For many years humans have pursued the meaning of truth, knowledge and understanding. For many this pursuit of understanding the meaning of truth doesn’t end until one finds a “truth” that is nourishing to them. Even if this is the case one may choose to look for an alternate truth that may be more satisfactory to them. This pursuit of truth does not always have to follow the same path as there may be different ideas for everyone on how truth is actually obtained and which is a better way to obtain the truth is. Two philosophers of their time, Plato and Charles Peirce had their own methodologies and ideas on how truth and knowledge could be obtained.
Throughout human existence, scholars have earnestly pursued knowledge and the attainment of truth. Historical figures such as Plato, Descartes, and Emerson sought answers to daunting questions of: ‘What is truth?’; ‘What is reality?’; ‘How is wisdom acquired?’ Many scholars believe these philosophers presented conflicting viewpoints: Plato encouraging skepticism among all previous historical, cultural, and personal perspectives; Descartes questioning definitions of reality and his very existence; Emerson encouraging self-trust and confidence in one’s ideals, opinions, and convictions. Surprisingly, reconciliation can be reached from these three differing hypotheses. Emerson’s thesis merely expounds from Descartes and Plato’s philosophies. He builds from Descartes’ search for self-identity and reconciles Plato’s skepticism with his views of self-trust and unconformity among scholars.
In Plato’s Theaetetus, Socrates examines the first definition of knowledge that theaetetus gives that knowledge is perception. Socrates gives us many example that both supports and refutes that knowledge is perception. The basic claim from Protagoras is that truth is based on the perception of every man. This means that things are to any person as they seem to that person. Socrates explains to us Protagoras’s view with the cold wind example.
The philosopher, Linda Zagzebski, offers a virtue based definition of knowledge. She arrives at this definition by presenting numerous accounts of knowledge definitions that fail, explore why they fail, then shows how her theory satisfies knowledge criteria.
Socrates, if one reads any of Plato’s works, seems to be a man of intense and never satisfied curiosity. He employed the same logical actions developed by the Sophists to a new purpose, the pursuit of truth. Many credit Socrates with the birth of critical philosophy in that he would accept nothing less than a full account of h...
Plato: For today’s class Aristotle and I are going to discuss our ideas on the Theory of Form
Our senses can correctly perceive the natural forms. Basically, reality became a debate between Plato's two worlds and Aristotle's single world reality. Secondly, Plato and Aristotle contrast in their view of what knowledge we possess at birth. Plato supports the doctrine of Innatism, which claims that we enter this world with prior knowledge. All people possess immortal souls; therefore, the knowledge acquired in one life can be transferred into the next reincarnation.
My paper takes as the starting point for its argument the traditional interpretation (and classic criticism) of Platonic metaphysics as a two worlds view of reality: one world, that which includes this room of people, i.e., the here and now which is characterized by change, disorder, conflict, coming to be and passing out of being, corruption, etc.; and another world, located who knows where, but certainly not identical to what we see around us at present, the realm of changelessness and order, ontological perdurance, harmony, unity: Plato's "plain of Truth", the residence of the forms. In light of these two worlds, the Platonic philosopher's wisdom, whatever it may be, must be a wisdom not of this world. Indeed, did not Plato's Socrates himself say that his life— the philosophical life— was the art of practising death? Should that Socrates— or anyone who professes to be a Platonic philosopher— show up at, let us say, the World Congress of
We have two great philosophers, Plato and Aristotle. These are great men, whose ideas have not been forgotten over years. Although their thoughts of politics were similar, we find some discrepancies in their teachings. The ideas stem from Socrates to Plato to Aristotle. Plato based moral knowledge on abstract reason, while Aristotle grounded it on experience and tried to apply it more to concrete living. Both ways of life are well respected by many people today.
In The Metaphysics, Aristotle states, “All men by nature desire to know.” Although, this is a generalization, of this insightful statement about the nature of humans and human understanding this statement truly captures what Aristotle was trying to figure out about humans and their thinking. Everyone has a desire to know or to understand. As rational beings we tend to contemplate very simple ideas to the most complicated, like our existence, or parts of the universe, or the universe as a whole. Aristotle is known as the father of modern day psychology and biology, even though many of his ideas of these two sciences was proven incorrect. The most important concepts of Aristotle’s theory of human understanding are the notion of cause, the infinite, and the soul.
How do we obtain our knowledge? Do we use our senses of touch, taste, hearing, smell and sight? This is a basic philosophical question that has been asked and elaborated upon by philosophers. Plato and Aristotle have formed their own opinions upon whether or not the senses can be trusted. In order to understand their ideas on the senses, first their philosophy on the connection between the soul and body must be examined. Plato states that the body and soul are separate, while Aristotle says they are one. Concerning the senses, Plato says they cannot be trusted and knowledge cannot be gained through them. Aristotle creates an opposing view, saying that the senses are essential to gaining knowledge and learning about the world.
Plato believes there is two types of worlds that are of knowledge and opinion. As he understands, what is an every lasting reality is a true knowledge, which is the heart of what needs to be understood and everything people need to know. As he says for opinion, it will be only successful some times, as knowledge will always be right and successful at all times when implemented. An opinion for him has no base on true knowledge, but pure people’s speculations of their points of views. A true knowledge will never be influenced by any changes and it cannot be affected by anything; it will stand alone without changing. In Plato’s argument of how men will acquire knowledge in life, he says that knowledge resides in men’s immortal soul prior to his birth; this is how men will first encounter what he calls the “Forms” in that
Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato were two of the most influential and knowledgeable ancients in our history. Their contributions and dedication to science, language and politics are immensely valued centuries later. But while the two are highly praised for their works, they viewed several subjects entirely differently, particularly education practices, and human ethics and virtue.