Socrates, Forms & Epistemology

Essay # 102785

Literature > Greek and Roman
Philosophy > Ancient Greek
Philosophy > Epistemology

This paper looks at Socrates' argument concerning forms or ideal structures and epistemology.

1,114 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer discusses that Socrates accomplishes much of his rational argument based on establishing that forms or ideal structures only result in knowledge and he argues that sophists make of knowledge nothing but a commodity. The writer points out that Socrates' ultimate demise is well-known through the reproduction of his argument by his star pupil, Plato and it is to Plato that most Socratic researchers must rely on to gain a better understanding of Socrates because he never wrote anything at all. The writer notes that it is Socrates' use of forms as a paradigm for epistemological study which has freed philosophical pursuits from simple contemplation of knowledge and moved it to the application of insight and wisdom. The writer maintains that for Socrates, the world of forms was useful as a rational construct upon which to make his philosophical points; that is, knowledge to Socrates was only the starting point for philosophical debate whereas for others such as the sophists, knowledge and the pursuit of it were the ultimate goal or pursuit.

From the Paper:

"However, the force of Socrates' renunciation of sophist thought and doctrine comes through so clearly in Plato's work that it is clear that Plato relied on Socratic opinion almost exclusively for the foundation of his most renowned works such as the Republic which contains a series of Plato's works. Therefore, were this last the case then Plato would be known almost exclusively as the father of philosophy rather than Socrates and Socrates would be a mere footnote. Yet, the marvel of Socrates' fame and his foundational position in the philosophical body of knowledge is that through him philosophy was given a greater conception of itself as separate from pure knowledge which Socrates demonstrated was relatively invaluable without the more important qualities of moral justice, wisdom, and restraint.."

Sample of Sources Used:

Conee, Earl and Theodore Sider. Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics. Oxford University Press, New York; 2007.
O'Rourke, F. "Aristotle And The Metaphyics Of Evolution." The Review of Metaphysics, 58/1(2004): 3+.
Solomon, R. C., & Higgins, K. M. A Short History Of Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press; 1996.
Zuckert, C. H. "Who's a philosopher? Who's a Sophist? The Stranger V. Socrates." The Review of Metaphysics, 54/1(2000): 65.