Plato on Ideas

A look at the theory of Forms (or Ideas) in Plato and his tradition.

The "theory of forms (or ideas)" is perhaps the most widely known of Plato's teachings and his famous story of the prisoners in a cave who are only able to see shadows rather than real objects is equally well known as his challenge to humankind's general view that physical objects are the primary reality rather than the ideas that lie behind them. But just because the theory is widely known does not mean that it is well understood: several misconceptions about what Plato is actually putting forward need addressing if we are to clarify it before we can ask ourselves the all-important question – is it true? We'll look at Ideas and consider some of these misconceptions through selected extracts of Plato's dialogues and the Commentaries of the Platonists of late antiquity. As usual, we'll aim to have the major part of the evening given over to a round-table discussion of the issues that emerge from our readings.

No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.

Entrance in free, but donations between £3-5 will be welcomed.

A PDF download of the extract we will be reading is available on our website together with further details of this and other Prometheus Trust's activities: www.prometheustrust.co.uk (the PDF is on the "London Monday Evenings" page.)

Register to tell a friend about this lecture.

Comments

If you would like to comment about this lecture, please register here.

©2003-2006 Niminim Limited. Created by

Any ad revenue is entirely reinvested into the Lecture List's operating fund