Plato’s Theory of Forms

Since ancient times, people have contemplated the existence of universals (common
qualities or characteristics that material objects exemplify). Plato’s Theory of Forms
provides an answer to the existence of fundamental properties. It also gives us a
reason for the existence of the world we live in and understanding this can help us
differentiate between reality and perception. The Forms are important in that it has the
potential to give us a better idea of the world we live in and also about the interactions
between worldly objects. In this essay, I will introduce the Theory and illustrate
examples which help us understand more about the Forms.

Introducing The Forms

Forms or Eidos in Greek are abstract qualities or ideas that possess a higher level of
reality than the material world we live in. They exist in a separate transcendent realm
of the Forms. They are universals that objects share. The Forms are eternal and
immutable. For example, a piece of paper has the form of flatness. If the paper is
crushed, the form of flatness doesn’t cease to exist; rather the paper loses the form of
flatness and exemplifies another form. This shows that forms are separate entities
from the material object and is not subject to material changes.

Origin of Definitions

In every debate or discussion, there often turns out to be one or more general ideas
that participants need to understand. For instance, in a debate on whether capital
punishment for crimes is justified or not, requires the participants to understand the
idea of capital and justice. They will eventually come to a point where they have to
define both ‘capital’ and ‘justice’. They may come to an agreement that ‘capital’ is
defined as ‘loss of life’ and ‘justice’ is the ‘quality of being just’. By taking it one step
further, we can consider the definition of the definitions, leading to an infinite regress.

According to Plato, in order for us to understand definitions, at some point we have to

try to understand, not by suggesting other ideas to explain the original idea
(knowledge by proposition), but by grasping the actual meaning itself. This is also
known as knowledge by acquaintance.
Arguments for the Forms

Proving the existence of forms through objectivity

Plato argued that: the more objective you get, the more real you get.

The world that we interact with on a daily basis through our imperfect senses is just
our subjective view. The images that we see, and experiences that we have cannot
possibly be the real thing, as how they appear to us may not be how they appear to
another. A person with perfect eyesight will see a different colour of the sky from a
person with colour-blindness, leading us to the question: ‘What is the real colour of
the sky?’ Does perceiving the colour differently make one of them more right than the
other? According to Plato, by taking both subjective points of views into account, we
can derive at a more objective point of view and thus arrive at a higher level of reality.

Furthermore, these objects are often an accumulation of qualities in a particular space

and time. Describing the object through its individual qualities would give us a better
understanding of it rather than giving it a name. On top of that, these objects are ever-
changing, losing one quality and gaining another all the time, making it very difficult
for the object to be thoroughly perceived.

Thus, the most objective point of view (the concept that includes all subjective points
of view) is the highest level of reality that is intelligible. This concept is also known
as ‘Forms’.

‘One over many’ Argument

In Plato’s Republic 596a:

‘..We are in the habit, I take it, of positing a single idea or form in the case of the
various multiplicities to which we give the same name...’

There is a form for any set of things that have the same name. There may be a
hundred plates and two hundred bowls on a table but there are only two forms of
utensils, the form of the plate and the form of the bowl. All objects that come under
the name ‘plate’ will have a single form.

Participation explains predication

In Phaedo 100c:
‘..I think that if anything is beautiful besides absolute beauty it is beautiful for no
other reason than because it partakes of absolute beauty; and this applies to
everything...’

This claims that an object which participates in a form, will lead to it illustrating the
form it takes part of. For instance, both a basketball and a ping pong ball are round.
There is a form, roundness, in which both the basketball and ping pong ball share,
thus, they are both round.
Mathematical argument

In mathematics, the existence of Forms is very apparent. We can be certain of our

answer to a problem without having solved it before. This is because the numbers and
problems in mathematics are real.

Furthermore, the problems in mathematics are timeless truth, e.g.1+1=2. The answer
to 1+1 is 2 today, yesterday and tomorrow and so on. The problem is the same
regardless of time. Therefore, all objects in mathematics exist separately from the
material world in the realm of forms.

Limitations of the Theory

Participation of forms

If many objects partake in the form, will they have the entire form in each object or
only have a part of the form in each of them?

If the entire form is in all the objects which are separate, the form will thus have to
separate from itself.

However, the form cannot exist in the objects in ‘parts’ as it will no longer be one
single universal form. A part of Largeness would be smaller than the form of
Largeness but will still make the object it is in large. This cannot be right as according
to the dialogue Phaedo, the object has to partake in the absolute form for it to have the
quality of the form.

Third Man Argument

Take for example, x, y and z to be large.

Therefore, x, y and z would share the form of Largeness.
Now, x, y, z, Largeness1 would be large.
Therefore, x, y, z, Largeness1 would share the form of Largeness.
Now, x, y, z, Largeness1 and Largeness2 would be large.
This goes on for infinity.

As a result, there will always be an additional form to explain the existence of the
form before it and there will be an indefinite number of forms.

However, there has been some debate that Forms do not self-predicate the way the
Third man Arguments states. It is said that the Form (Largeness) bears a certain
relationship to the predicate (Large) whereby the predicate (Large) is part of the Form
(Largeness)’s nature or essence. Consequently, the Form (Largeness) does not have to
self-predicate as in the argument, and the problem of indefinite forms no longer
exists.
Forms as Standards or Ideals

The forms are also said to be paradigms, ideals on which the world is modelled. The
forms are used as standards by us to compare and assess material objects. For
instance, when a road is said to be straight, the road is being compared to the form of
absolute straightness. Although there is no such thing as absolute straightness in the
material world, we seem to comprehend the idea of straightness and are able to use it
as a standard which all straight things should have.

The use of forms as standards has an added advantage that forms are timeless and
immutable. Currently, the base unit for which mass is compared to, is the Standard
Kilogram, International Prototype Kilogram (IPK). This is a machined cylinder which
was made from an alloy of 90% platinum and 10% iridium (by weight) in 1879. Over
the century, the IPK has been losing mass, as compared to the other standards.
However, the definition of the Standard Kilogram has not changed and is still defined
as being equal to the IPK. This makes it confusing and complicated. Thus, having
material objects as standards is proven to be unreliable as they can undergo changes.

Conclusion

The Theory of Forms is not perfect in that it can be refuted as the theory is not
supported by evidence. However it shows Plato’s drive to find a unified theory for
being, for moral qualities and for knowledge. Though his dialectic process, the theory
cultivates one’s ability for abstract thought and ideas. Its basis for understanding is
purely intellectual and it is a theory that helps people to gain a better insight into the
world around them.