http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_forms
Plato theorized that all the things we see in this world are merely shadows of the true Forms (capital F) that exist in a plane outside our own.
In layman's terms, all roses on the earth are a shadow of the one true, perfect and beautiful rose that exists in the world of the Forms.
Thus too, concepts like beauty also have a perfect and true "Form."
Rubbish or was he on to something?
2007-11-26 22:27:42 · 14 answers · asked by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Leave it to you to come up with another thought provoking question that the masses don't look at closely enough. The Idea of Forms is similar to the thought of this existence being nothing more of a dream.
If you believe in life after death or re-incarnation, then you on some level accept part of the Theory of Forms. If this life is not the end of all then it is a surreal existence and hollow in comparison of the world that awaits. (Heaven, Nirvana, Greater Consciousness). This world is simply a refection of its Creator. I do believe Plato was on to something as had been in so many other areas.
We dance the dream, until we are awakened through death.
2007-11-27 04:50:39 · answer #1 · answered by dogwhisperer16 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The 'all roses are a shadow of the true rose' part is rubbish, but in general, all that we perceive is filtered through our senses. We know the limitations of those senses, f.i. our eyes see only in a very limited spectrum and so on. Therefore, we must conclude that our perception does not equal reality, merely a filtered subset of.
edit: pangel, with all due respect, I was talking about visible light, not an unproven hypothesis with no evidence going for it :)
2007-11-26 22:36:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Rubbish
2007-11-26 22:30:30 · answer #3 · answered by Cotton Wool Ninja 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely on to something. Maybe some kind of hallucinogenic.
Just kidding. Actually I see the world in the same way and believe there are Bible verses that suggest the same. I tell people I believe in the parallel universe, then explain that it is the spiritual kingdom of God.
I'm serious.
I think that quantum physics is touching on this as well.
Gypsy Priest
2007-11-26 22:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Gypsy Priest 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
oh i like that idea...
I ran a little experiment with my children to see if their perception of this world was different to my own as an adult ...
I felt that since children have just came from spirit , then perhaps they would see this other plane of existence a little clearer than we can ( this place i feel is here and now )
the results were pretty amazing to say the least , although would take ages to explain
but I had never heard of this theory before ... and I think i may agree to an extent
edit AZ ... that was the nature of my experiment
what kind of spectrum children viewed
edit
AZ ... excuse me for experimenting and getting results :oP
2007-11-26 22:35:18 · answer #5 · answered by ☮ Pangel ☮ 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's not a bad theory considering that's kinda what Christianity's about too, consider heaven.
and yet Plato's gods were fallible and it would be best not to project our stylized perfection of beauty onto his interpretation.
2007-11-26 22:51:05 · answer #6 · answered by goosebumpsandgiggles 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Many scientists are now starting to believe that there are parallel universes, so there may be something to the idea.
2007-11-27 03:05:30 · answer #7 · answered by Little Red Hen 2.0 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is groping towards the concept of an ideal. Some truth and some groping.
2007-11-26 22:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by Mike B 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
not just rubbish but rubbish in its true and perfect form!
2007-11-27 14:59:27 · answer #9 · answered by joe c 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rubbish...
2007-11-26 22:33:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋