Plato's Theory of Forms

In this video we explore one of Plato's most famous ideas - the Theory of Forms. We will attempt to break down this theory in order to truly understand what Plato thought about the true nature of reality. We will look at what Forms are and will explore their important implications for the individual and society and finally we will explore some of the criticisms against the theory.

0:03 "What is true reality?"
0:49 Naïve Realism
1:48 World of Forms
3:37 Can we ever perceive the Forms?
4:47 The philosopher-king
5:35 Criticisms of the Forms

[leahspies]

I think this video did the best explaining of Plato’s “Forms”. He actually put it into words I could understand. Thank you!!

[liljimlambert]

I just started Introduction to Philosophy, and this video helped me better understand Plato's Theory of Forms.

[rahimkhora]

I kept reading multiple times Plato's Theory of form and couldn't understand the core idea. This video helped me a lot. Thanks a lot

[FeelingPhilosophical]

0:03 - "What is true reality?"
0:49 - Naïve Realism
1:48 - World of Forms
3:37 - Can we ever perceive the Forms?
4:47 - The philosopher-king
5:35 - Criticisms of the Forms

[val]

this video is really well done! I been struggling with this in philosophy for a while, thank you for explaining it so throughly

[cindybriden]

This is the best explanation of forms I have heard all week!!!! All other videos seem gibberish to me and my brain just wasn't getting it. Thank God I found this video! Thank you!!!

[borazan]

Very well-spoken and coherent, was a joy to listen to. I like how you don't go into tangents about self-improvement and the lessons we ought to learn from these ideas but instead focus on the explanation of the philosopher and their ideas, with the rest being up for interpretation for the viewer.

[garimaxj]

man! you helped clear my concepts so much. thank you so much, tomorrow's my exam and i can't tell you enough how grateful i am after watching this video ;3

[andrewsheehy]

Excellent! I think that the 'third man' objection is another instance of a recursive argument that crops up elsewhere - say in the fields of set theory and logic.

For instance, in Bertrand Russell's Paradox we are invited to ask the question: "Is the set of all sets a set of itself?" This problem led to the development of ZFC Theory (which is mathematically analogous to shifting the goalposts) .

Another example is the nonsensical statement: "This statement is False" - which leads to a recursive impossibility.

A third example is the Village Barber (also courtesy of Russell).

These latter two paradoxes are most commonly explained as examples of limitations of the English language - not limitations of logic. Although, later on, Godel proved that under certain situations logic is most certainly limited.

To defend Plato's World of Forms from the 'third man' argument, we just need to define a 'Form of all forms' and use ZFC Theory to make sure that it cannot be included within itself.

All good - Plato wins - Again!

[madelinejurr]

You saved my history exam in my Psychology Bachelor! Thanks! Great video!

[quinevere]

this was the best video on explaining the 'theory of forms'. Not only is it digestible but, it is well made and succinct!

[mikheilzguladze]

You have to somehow boost this channel. It deserves far more subscribers. I suggest you dedicate yourself to examining youtube algorithm. I mean it, you deserve FAR more subscribers.

[marillionth]

Great video! Your work makes really complex ideas more accessible to the layman as myself. Cheers!

[rohandollay]

Ooooo got this a day early on Saturday! How lucky aha!!! Like this one, but different to other things you’ve done and I never really knew Plato had any influence on forms let alone this much significant input! Really good and informative video mate!!

[sotherton]

Excellent - thank you for posting this.

[vincentlakejr]

Thanks for helping me understand the core idea of Plato's theory of forms. thanks a lot..keep up the spirit. wish to see more about other philosophers..

[VeryHappyCat]

Thank you for making something complex into something simple to understand.

[demitrixx]

I'm working on a fantasty book and trying to relate philosophy in some explanations of it. And I was really having a hard time but this video enlighten me. Thank youu

[jayanttanwar]

Very nice video. Keep it up. Love you from INDIA.

[elo]

amazing explanation! Clear and concise. Thank you!