Reality and the Theory of Mind Analytical Essay by scribbler

Reality and the Theory of Mind
An analysis of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" in a discussion on the philosophical issue of reality and the mind.
# 153012 | 1,397 words | 4 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on May 01, 2013 in Philosophy (Ancient Greek) , Philosophy (Metaphysics)


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Description:

This paper deals with the philosophical question of reality and mind and begins by describing the thought experiment brought to us by the Australian philosopher Frank Jacksons. The paper then examines Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" in detail and discusses how this allegory is a way of explaining how there is a difference between appearance and reality, and that there are numerous steps to finding truth and actualization. The paper explains how the prisoners reflect society as a whole who tend to learn only from what they see, or experience on a more tactile level, and are thus mistaken in their perception of reality.

Outline:
Introduction
Reality and the Theory of Mind

From the Paper:

"One of the age old questions in philosophy focuses on the tenet of "what is real" and what is a construct from the mind. In fact, this is one of the principal ideas of metaphysics - how do we know what we think we know and how do we know that what we know is real? Rationalism, in philosophy, shares a number of principles of Empiricism: both say that humans do not know things directly but only by their impressions on what they observe or attempt to understand. Rationalism is more concerned with what impressions are made upon the mind (intellect), whereas Empiricism focuses on the senses. In essence, then, the critical question becomes: Can humans be certain of the existence of known objects, and if so, to what extend can humans be certain of this relationship? In the modern world then, rationalism has become "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge of justification. This, of course, has engendered numerous interpretations of the methodology of acquiring verifiable knowledge, and can be traced back to the Socratic life of inquiry, through hundreds of years of asking - how do we know what we know? Is the "unique path to knowledge... that reason has precedence over other ways of acquiring knowledge?" (Audi, 1999, 771)."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Audi, Robert, ed. (1999). The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Marike, Peter. (2004). "Rationalism vs. Empiricism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Cited in: http://www.platostanford.edu
  • Montero, B. (2009). On the Philosophy of Mind. Belmont, CA: Cenage.
  • Plato. trans. C.D.C. Reeve. (2004). The Republic. New York: Hackett Publishing Company.

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

Reality and the Theory of Mind (2013, May 01) Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/reality-and-the-theory-of-mind-153012/

MLA Format

"Reality and the Theory of Mind" 01 May 2013. Web. 10 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/reality-and-the-theory-of-mind-153012/>

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