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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page essay that analyzes Socrates' argument concerning recollection and the theory of forms in Plato's Phaedo. This discussion largely concerns the topic of the immortality of the soul, however, in broaching this topic, Plato shows Socrates as leading the conversation into a discussion of his theory of forms. In so doing, Plato offers a comprehensive theory that attempts to explain the nature of the universe. However, while certainly intriguing, examination of this dialogue also shows Plato's conception of the universe to be unrealistic. No additional sources cited.
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4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khplaphd.rtf
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the immortality of the soul, however, in broaching this topic, Plato shows Socrates as leading the conversation into a discussion of his theory of forms. In so doing, Plato offers
a comprehensive theory that attempts to explain the nature of the universe. However, while certainly intriguing, examination of this dialogue also shows Platos conception of the universe to be unrealistic.
Cebes prompts Socrates in section 70C to discuss his "favorite doctrine," which refers to Socrates theory that knowledge is recollection. Cebes comments that is this theory is true, it
"necessarily implies a previous time in which we learned that which we now recollect" (Plato). In other words, for knowledge to be information that the individual "remembers" from another time
and place inculcates the assumption that the soul preexisted the existence of the body and is immortal. Socrates responds to Cebes request and launches into a discussion of his
doctrine. This argument has two parts, the first of which relates how nature always follows a cyclical pattern, night follows day, winter follows summer, etc. Therefore, argues Socrates, it
is logical that as death follows life, it would follow the pattern in nature for the cycle to again come around back to "life" or does nature "go on one
leg only" (Plato). If this were true, if there were only one process in regards to life-death, then everything would ultimately come to an end (Plato). Elaborating further on
this idea, Socrates argues that there are certain forms of knowledge that the individual just seems to "know," such as knowledge of equality, beauty, goodness, justice, holiness, and "all which
we stamp in the name of essence n the dialectical process" (Plato). While the individual "forgets" this prior knowledge at birth, the use of the senses causes him/her to "recollect"
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