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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper explores Plato's use of forms and objects in the metaphoric 'Divided Line' and 'Allegory of the Cave' in The Republic Books VI and VII respectively.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_Divall.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
mans soul. Plato lays the foundation for "The Divided Line" metaphor by first discussing The Good, the Just (justice) and the Fair (beautiful) in 504A-509A. These three concepts
represent Forms, but only the Just and the Fair can appear in Platos imaginary diagram because the Good is "not essence, but far exceeds essence in dignity and power" (Book
VI 28). In Book VI, Plato tells of a dialogue between Socrates and Glaucon in which the idea is expanded, with the Good presiding over the intelligible universe and
the Sun overseeing heaven which demonstrates two universal orders. Socrates next describes a divided line of two parts that are not equal, representing the visible and intelligible worlds, the divides
the line unequally again to illustrate clarity and obscurity. Next, one of the two visible world parts will represent images which first are mere shadows, then appear as reflections
in the water or on surfaces. The second section then stands for nature -- animals or anything that is capable of growing. Socrates then claims that both of
these sections have differing perceptions of truth. In other words, one section contains things that one can actually see and the other consists of things that also can be
seen, but somewhat obscured by the appearance of shadows. The dialogue commences further with Socrates discussion of the division within the intellectual sphere. There are higher and
lower subdivisions in which the higher division consists of thoughts which cannot be questioned, such as proven mathematical concepts and numbers. These are things which are universally accepted theories.
They occupy the upper echelon and subsequent ideas are rooted in the rooted within the highest division. This hierarchical structure continues until the lower division is comprised only
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