The Perfect Forms
Plato’s theory of perfect forms was meant to solve several problems. Among the problems the theory was supposed to solve were: how could human beings have a fulfilling and happy life in a world where they can lose everything they are attached to, and how the world would be both permanent and dynamic. Plato split existence into two; the material and transcendent realm of forms in order to solve these problems. Plato argues that the forms are transcendent in that they only exist in space and time, they are pure to mean they are separated other properties, they represent perfect models and they represent an abstract concept. Since the objects in this world are copies of the forms, they are the reason of anything that exists in this world. Generally speaking, when explaining something, you highlight the properties the object possesses. These forms are interconnected systematically in an intricate manner that shows the flow from good downwards and how we must work ourselves up to attain perfection of the forms. It therefore takes time to be able to perfect oneself in the forms and become more knowledgeable thus becoming more fit in the class of philosophers.
Phaedra’s story and relation to contemporary religion
Aphrodite, goddess of love, directed her anger to Hippolytus for refusing to respond to her erotic love. Hippolytus is thus punished through destruction for not honoring erotic love. The central conflict arises from this tension, regarding the association between men and gods during the early times. This relationship is questionable and has little resemblance to contemporary perspectives of religion. An important factor to analyze is that of the responsibilities gods had to their subjects, humans and humans to gods. As shown, the tragedy gives little insight into the kind of relationship.
Aphrodite’s response to Hippolytus’ loyalty to Artemis shows that humans were expected to worship all gods. This association, however, is not reciprocated as the gods had fewer obligations to humans and were not entitled to protecting men. Instead, the gods used humans as their toys while humans had an obligation to worship the gods to make them happy and avoid their wrath. Contemporary religion is different and similar in some instances. God is believed to be loving, caring and does not empty His cup of wrath on humans while humans on the other side, same as the Hippolyticus times, are obliged to worship and love God.
The author is a rich man who is lost in thought, building castles in the air. His current situation is as a result of idleness and free time. The situation is also facilitated by the season, summer, which its sunny afternoons had been spent lavishly. There is constant dreaming during the day and the author is literally lost in thought.
The learner believes that the more you continue to dream, the higher your chances of meeting with reality and success. He leaves with an encouraging note to the reader not to lose hope in building castles in the air but to base the castles on to a foundation. This clearly tells us that the more visions you have the better your success and where there is no vision or dreams, and then even success is hard to achieve.
Works Cited
Gilbert, Ryle, “Plato's Theory of Forms creative commons.” Web: http://www.philosophicalsociety.com, accessed: 19th Feb 2013
