Metaphysics of the Forms

Metaphysics of the Forms

By Tom Phillips

Metaphysics

A metaphysics is a philosophical theory A metaphysics is a philosophical theory concerned with explaining the fundamental concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and of the worldnature of being and of the world

Through asking two questionsThrough asking two questions

1). What is there?1). What is there? 2). What is it like?2). What is it like?

Plato’s Metaphysics

Plato (428-348BC)Plato (428-348BC) Created his own metaphysics based on the Created his own metaphysics based on the

premise that there are independent, original premise that there are independent, original concepts called forms, i.e. beauty, which concepts called forms, i.e. beauty, which particular things i.e. a beautiful butterfly particular things i.e. a beautiful butterfly ‘participate in’ and get their qualities from.‘participate in’ and get their qualities from.

This is a controversial metaphysics, Plato’s star This is a controversial metaphysics, Plato’s star pupil Aristotle rejected it, for example.pupil Aristotle rejected it, for example.

Essential Properties of the Forms

Plato claims that there are several essential Plato claims that there are several essential properties of the formsproperties of the forms

Self-predicationSelf-predication PerfectionPerfection Independence (from particulars)Independence (from particulars) PermanencePermanence SimplicitySimplicity

The Form of Beauty

To show each essential property, I am going to To show each essential property, I am going to use ‘the Form of Beauty’ as an example..use ‘the Form of Beauty’ as an example..

I am using this picture to represent the form of I am using this picture to represent the form of beautybeauty

Self-predication

The Form of Beauty is itself beautifulThe Form of Beauty is itself beautiful

Self-predication

Everything else is beautiful because it Everything else is beautiful because it participates in the Form of Beautyparticipates in the Form of Beauty

Self-predication

Whereas, the form of beauty simply is beautiful, Whereas, the form of beauty simply is beautiful, it is what it is in virtue of itselfit is what it is in virtue of itself

Self-predication

A thing is made beautiful when it participates A thing is made beautiful when it participates with the form of beauty because the form is itself with the form of beauty because the form is itself beautiful, beauty is transmitted to particularsbeautiful, beauty is transmitted to particulars

Perfection

The form of beauty is a The form of beauty is a perfectperfect example of itself, example of itself, nothing can be more beautifulnothing can be more beautiful

Perfection

Particular things can get close but can never Particular things can get close but can never reach the level of beauty that the form of beauty reach the level of beauty that the form of beauty hashas

Independence (from particulars)

A form is its own essence. Therefore, it is A form is its own essence. Therefore, it is separate from particularsseparate from particulars

Independence (from particulars)

It doesn't even exist in time and spaceIt doesn't even exist in time and space

Independence (from particulars)

Also, because a Form is its own essence it is not Also, because a Form is its own essence it is not essential for its particulars to participate with it essential for its particulars to participate with it for it to exist.for it to exist.

Independence (from particulars)

I.e. if nothing was beautiful in the whole world, I.e. if nothing was beautiful in the whole world, the Form of Beauty would still exist because it the Form of Beauty would still exist because it doesn’t require particular things for existencedoesn’t require particular things for existence

Permanence

Forms do not change at all!Forms do not change at all!

Permanence

If the Form of Beauty changed then it couldn’t If the Form of Beauty changed then it couldn’t have been perfect before, which is a have been perfect before, which is a contradictioncontradiction

Simplicity

The Forms are oneThe Forms are one

Simplicity

Each Form only has one property/component. Each Form only has one property/component. I.e. Beauty has beauty. Therefore there is I.e. Beauty has beauty. Therefore there is simplicitysimplicity

Superior

Particular things are complex, changeable and Particular things are complex, changeable and imperfectimperfect

Superior

Forms are the oppositeForms are the opposite

Superior

Contrasting the two, the existence of the Forms Contrasting the two, the existence of the Forms is superior, they are in a way that particulars are is superior, they are in a way that particulars are notnot

World of Forms

Plato asserts that there is a world of forms and Plato asserts that there is a world of forms and one of particulars (our one)one of particulars (our one)

Plato says that properties particulars have are Plato says that properties particulars have are faded copies of the forms in their worldfaded copies of the forms in their world

World of Forms

Particulars can loose their properties (something Particulars can loose their properties (something can become less beautiful)can become less beautiful)

And they rely on Forms and the world of forms And they rely on Forms and the world of forms for their existencefor their existence

Form of the Good

Every Form is meant to be GoodEvery Form is meant to be Good However the ‘best of the best’ or ‘form of forms’ However the ‘best of the best’ or ‘form of forms’

is the Form of Goodis the Form of Good