Ancient Greek philosopher born around 428/427–348/347 BCE; student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens, and author of the “Dialogues.”
Meaning of Transcendent
Something beyond physical experience; knowledge of goodness and badness comes from beyond us, not from society or personal perception.
Universality of Goodness and Badness of Action
Goodness and badness are universally true and valid, the same for all people at all times. Plato rejects moral relativism and believes in a stable standard for morality.
World of Ideas (Forms)
The real, permanent, and unchanging reality of perfect Forms, like goodness and beauty; accessible only through intellect.
World of Material
The physical, ever-changing, and unreal world we experience through the senses; illusions that distract from true knowledge.
Change and Unchanged
Heraclitus: Change is constant; Parmenides: There is an unchanging reality; Plato: Both change and permanence exist—true reality (Forms) is unchanging amidst change.
Real Knowledge of the Good
Real goodness is understood only through reason, not senses. Material pleasures (like taste) are not ideally good. True good is rational, universal, and unchanging.
Elements of Ideally Good
Unconditional (good regardless of earthly conditions), Rational (understood through reason), Universal (valid for all rational beings), Unchanging (constant across all situations).
Intellect and Will
Intellect is our capacity to think and understand; Will is our capacity to choose. Plato believes Will should align with the Good, and intellect should guide choices over sensory pleasures.
Who Are We as Rational Beings
Humans are travelers in this material world, aiming to become better versions of ourselves to reach the ideal world. Plato sees our essence as the rational soul, seeking wisdom and truth.
Plato
Ancient Greek Philosopher
When was Plato born
born around 428/427-348/347
St Thomas
1225-1274 AD
Plato 1
is student of Socrates and
Plato 2
also a teacher of Aristotle
Plato 3
Athenian Philosopher
Plato 4
Author of the “Dialogues”
Plato 5
Founder of Academy
Transcendent
means something beyond
Knowledge of goodness and badness of action comes from
something somewhere beyond us.
Not from us
or not from the society.
Is the principle of goodness and badness of action a Universal
meaning the same to all people in all ages or true and accepted by ALL people in ALL times?
What is good for me is only good for me
and what is good for you is only good for you.
If the answer is NO
then the principle of morals depends on one’s perception.
Subjective or relativism
Depends on whose authority, culture like cultural relativism
If the answer is YES
What is the nature of this principle of goodness and badness?,Where we can find it?
Plato’s answer is obviously YES
it is universal
The NORM of morality is universal
Same for all men in all times
Not relative to one’s Perception
There is something that is universally true and valid principle of morality
Refused to accept that truth is relative
that there is no stable norm or standard of good and bad
Universal
( same for all men and all people in all ages)
Black and White Morality
also known as absolutist morality, is a simplistic view of ethics where actions are strictly categorized as either good or bad, right or wrong, with no room for gray areas or complex situations.
Plato’s Ethical Principle is anchored on
his metaphysical beliefs
Metaphysics
is that it is a branch of philosophy that deals with the problem of existence (ex. What does it mean to exist? Or what is the meaning of our existence
besides the world is a constant flux
always changing. Ever different from what was the moment before
Ancient Philosophers
Parminides and Heraklitus
Parmenides
Nothing changes. Being is one and the same.
Heraklitus
There is nothing permanent in this world, except change
The world of forms of ideals
Which is all things are permanent, unchanging and real
World of Materials
changing and unreal
Material World
Where we lived in., It is in this world that we are fooled of the things we see, we hear, all kinds that our senses can detect. Illusion.
The world of ideals
The real world our ideal place, real world. The Paradise
REAL KNOWLDEGE OF THE GOOD
Meaning any good that we see,taste, touch or hear or anything that our
Where can we find the principle of morals
For Plato it can be found in the world of ideals, not in the material world.
knowledge of the GOOD comes from
the IDEAL world.
1. Unconditional
It remains inherently good regardless of changing circumstances. For instance, helping others is ideally good, but if done for personal gain (such as during elections), it ceases to be ideally good.
2. Rational
The ideal good is understood through reason, not sensory experience. Physical pleasures, like enjoying food, are good but not ideally good because they rely on the senses rather than rational thought.
3. Universal
It is true and valid for all rational beings, applying equally to everyone.
4. Unchanging (Immutable)
The ideal good does not vary across situations. Actions like killing are always bad, regardless of intention or circumstance, as the ends do not justify the means.
The knowledge of the good come from
the ideal world
This knowledge of the good is accessed by
reason/Intellect and this knowledge is applied to concrete situation through Will (practicalwill)
Intellect
Our Capacity to think.
Will
Our Capacity to Choose .
Who are we as Rational Beings?
We are travelers of this World. To become the better version of who are we in the next World or who weare in the ideal World.