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Platonism, in its most fundamental assertion, denies the existence of abstract objects, thereby aligning itself with nominalism.
Answer: False
Explanation: Platonism fundamentally affirms the existence of abstract objects in a distinct third realm, which is the opposite of nominalism.
The concept of abstract objects in Platonism is exclusively limited to numbers and sets, precluding properties or propositions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Platonism's concept of abstract objects extends to various entities, including properties, types, propositions, meanings, numbers, sets, and truth values.
In modern philosophical discourse, individuals who affirm the existence of abstract objects are sometimes referred to as Platonists.
Answer: True
Explanation: Modern philosophy often categorizes those who affirm the existence of abstract objects as Platonists, distinguishing them from nominalists who deny their existence.
Plato's Theory of Forms posits a fundamental distinction between a perceptible, constantly changing reality and an imperceptible, unchanging reality.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Theory of Forms is predicated on a central distinction between a sensible, ever-changing reality (Heraclitean) and an intelligible, immutable reality (Parmenidean).
Aristotle's Third Man Argument constituted a famous ancient endorsement of Plato's Theory of Forms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Aristotle's Third Man Argument was, in fact, the most famous ancient criticism of Plato's Theory of Forms, not an endorsement.
In Plato's *Republic*, the Form of the Good is considered the lowest of all Forms, dependent on others for its existence.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Form of the Good is identified as the highest Form in Plato's *Republic*, serving as the source upon which the being and knowing of all other Forms depend.
Platonism describes the idea as prior to matter and fundamentally identifies the person with the soul.
Answer: True
Explanation: Unlike Aristotelianism, Platonism asserts the priority of the idea over matter and identifies the person fundamentally with the soul.
Francis Cornford identified the Theory of Forms and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul as the two main pillars of Platonism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Francis Cornford explicitly described the Theory of Forms and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul as the twin pillars of Platonism.
Plato believed that objects of sense possess genuine existence because they are perfect copies of the Forms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Plato believed that objects of sense, being in perpetual change and merely imperfect copies, are deprived of all genuine existence.
What is the fundamental assertion of Platonism regarding the nature of reality?
Answer: Abstract objects exist in a distinct third realm, separate from the sensible and internal worlds.
Explanation: Platonism fundamentally asserts the existence of abstract objects in a distinct third realm, separate from both the sensible external world and the internal world of consciousness.
Which of the following entities are considered abstract objects in Platonism?
Answer: Properties, types, propositions, and numbers.
Explanation: Platonism considers various entities as abstract objects, including properties, types, propositions, meanings, numbers, sets, and truth values.
What specific doctrine does the term Platonism sometimes indicate in a narrower sense?
Answer: The doctrine of Platonic realism, described as a form of mysticism.
Explanation: In a narrower sense, Platonism can refer to the doctrine of Platonic realism, which is sometimes characterized as a form of mysticism.
What was the main intellectual motivation for Plato's Theory of Forms, demonstrating the significant influence of Pythagoras?
Answer: Geometry.
Explanation: Geometry was the primary motivation for Plato's Theory of Forms, highlighting the influence of Pythagorean thought.
How are the Forms typically described in Plato's dialogues such as *Phaedo*, *Symposium*, and *Republic*?
Answer: As perfect archetypes, of which everyday objects are imperfect copies.
Explanation: In Plato's dialogues, Forms are described as perfect archetypes, with everyday objects being their imperfect copies.
Which Form is identified as the highest in Plato's *Republic* and is considered the source of all other Forms?
Answer: The Form of the Good.
Explanation: In Plato's *Republic*, the Form of the Good is identified as the highest Form and the source upon which the being and knowing of all other Forms depend.
According to Francis Cornford, what are the twin pillars of Platonism?
Answer: The theory of the Forms and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul.
Explanation: Francis Cornford identified the Theory of Forms and the doctrine of the immortality of the soul as the two main pillars of Platonism.
How does Plato view the existence of sensible objects in relation to the Forms?
Answer: Objects of sense are imperfect copies of the Forms and are deprived of all genuine existence.
Explanation: Plato believed that sensible objects, being in perpetual change and merely imperfect copies of the Forms, are deprived of all genuine existence.
According to Plato's *Republic*, philosophers are capable of grasping the nature of beauty itself, distinguishing it from its particular manifestations.
Answer: True
Explanation: Plato's *Republic* states that philosophers can reach and see beauty itself, unlike 'lovers of sights and sounds' who only appreciate beautiful things.
Knowledge of true being, or the Forms, can only be obtained through intense sensory experiences.
Answer: False
Explanation: Knowledge of true being, or the Forms, cannot be obtained from sense impressions; it is acquired through the soul's activity within itself by exercising reason.
Dialectic is considered a minor instrument in Platonist epistemology, secondary to sensory observation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Dialectic is considered the primary instrument for attaining knowledge of the Forms and the 'first of sciences' in Platonist epistemology.
Platonist ethics asserts that virtue is knowledge, specifically the recognition of the supreme Form of the Good.
Answer: True
Explanation: Platonist ethics is based on the Form of the Good, positing that virtue is knowledge, particularly the recognition of this supreme form.
The virtue of Temperance is the bond that unites the other virtues in Platonist thought, ensuring proper function.
Answer: False
Explanation: The virtue of Justice, not Temperance (Moderation), is the bond that unites the other virtues in Platonist thought, ensuring each part of the soul performs its proper function.
According to Plato's *Republic*, how do philosophers differ from 'lovers of sights and sounds' in their understanding of beauty?
Answer: Philosophers can reach and see beauty itself, distinguishing it from its participants, unlike lovers of sights and sounds.
Explanation: Plato's *Republic* distinguishes philosophers as those who can apprehend beauty itself, while 'lovers of sights and sounds' only appreciate beautiful things.
How can knowledge of true being, or the Forms, be obtained according to Platonism?
Answer: Only through the soul's activity within itself, separate from sensory disturbances, by exercising reason.
Explanation: Platonism asserts that knowledge of true being, or the Forms, is acquired solely through the soul's rational activity, independent of sensory input.
What role does dialectic play in Platonist epistemology?
Answer: It serves as the primary instrument for attaining knowledge of the Forms and is the first of sciences.
Explanation: Dialectic is considered the primary instrument in Platonist epistemology for achieving knowledge of the Forms and is regarded as the 'first of sciences'.
What are the three cardinal virtues derived from the parts of the soul in Platonist ethics?
Answer: Wisdom, Courage, and Moderation.
Explanation: From the three parts of the soul—reason, spirit, and appetite—Platonist ethics derives the virtues of Wisdom, Courage, and Moderation.
Which virtue unifies the other virtues in Platonist thought, ensuring each part of the soul performs its proper function?
Answer: Justice.
Explanation: Justice is the virtue that unifies the other virtues in Platonist thought, ensuring that each part of the soul fulfills its appropriate role.
Academic skepticism became a central tenet of Plato's Academy starting in the 3rd century BC under Arcesilaus.
Answer: True
Explanation: Arcesilaus adopted academic skepticism in the 3rd century BC, making it a central tenet of the Academy until 90 BC.
Middle Platonism commenced when Antiochus of Ascalon rejected skepticism and incorporated Epicurean elements into the philosophical system.
Answer: False
Explanation: Middle Platonism began when Antiochus of Ascalon rejected skepticism and incorporated Stoic elements, not Epicurean, into the philosophical system.
Plotinus established Neoplatonism by systematically removing mystical elements from Plato's system and focusing solely on logic.
Answer: False
Explanation: Plotinus established Neoplatonism by *adding* mystical elements to Plato's system, positing the One or the Good as the summit of existence.
After Plato's death, his nephew Speusippus succeeded him as head of the Academy, combining Pythagorean number theories with Plato's Forms.
Answer: True
Explanation: Speusippus, Plato's nephew, succeeded him as head of the Academy and, along with Xenocrates, sought to combine Pythagorean number theories with Plato's Forms.
The Middle Academy, under Arcesilaus, strongly endorsed the Stoics' assertion of the certainty of truth and knowledge.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Middle Academy, under Arcesilaus, strongly emphasized philosophical skepticism and notably attacked the Stoics' assertion of the certainty of truth and knowledge.
In Middle Platonism, the Platonic Forms were considered transcendent, existing separately from rational minds.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Middle Platonism, the Platonic Forms were considered immanent to rational minds, rather than transcendent.
Plotinus' Neoplatonism describes the world-soul as generating reason, or *nous*, as a reflection of its own being.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Plotinus' Neoplatonism, the One generates reason (*nous*), and the world-soul is a copy of the *nous*, generated by and contained within it.
The ultimate goal for the soul in Plotinus' Neoplatonism is to achieve union with the One or the Good through virtue and philosophical thought.
Answer: True
Explanation: Plotinus' Neoplatonism posits that the soul's ultimate goal is to achieve union with the One or the Good through virtue and philosophical contemplation.
The Platonic Academy persisted until the Roman emperor Justinian closed it in 529 AD.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Platonic Academy, after being re-established, was finally closed by the Roman emperor Justinian in 529 AD.
Who established the Academy, and what significant philosophical shift occurred there in the 3rd century BC?
Answer: Plato, and Arcesilaus later adopted academic skepticism.
Explanation: Plato established the Academy, and in the 3rd century BC, Arcesilaus introduced academic skepticism as a central tenet.
What event marked the beginning of Middle Platonism?
Answer: Antiochus of Ascalon rejecting skepticism and incorporating Stoic elements.
Explanation: Middle Platonism began around 90 BC when Antiochus of Ascalon rejected skepticism and integrated Stoic elements into the philosophical system.
Who were the initial leaders of the Platonic Academy after Plato's death, and what was a characteristic of their philosophical approach?
Answer: Speusippus and Xenocrates, who combined Pythagorean number theories with Plato's Forms.
Explanation: After Plato's death, Speusippus and Xenocrates led the Academy, both integrating Pythagorean number theories with Plato's Forms.
What was the main characteristic of the Middle Academy under Arcesilaus?
Answer: A strong emphasis on philosophical skepticism, attacking the Stoics' assertion of certainty.
Explanation: The Middle Academy, under Arcesilaus, was characterized by a strong emphasis on philosophical skepticism, particularly in its critique of Stoic claims of certainty.
How did Middle Platonism conceptualize the Platonic Forms and the physical world?
Answer: Forms were immanent to rational minds, and the physical world was a living, ensouled being (World-Soul).
Explanation: In Middle Platonism, the Forms were considered immanent to rational minds, and the physical world was understood as a living, ensouled World-Soul.
How does Plotinus' Neoplatonism describe the emanation of reason (*nous*) and the world-soul from the One?
Answer: The One generates reason (nous), and the world-soul is a copy of the nous, generated by and contained within it.
Explanation: In Plotinus' Neoplatonism, the One generates *nous* (reason), and the world-soul is subsequently generated as a copy of the *nous*, contained within it.
Which Neoplatonists developed their system in conscious opposition to Christianity?
Answer: Porphyry and Iamblichus.
Explanation: Porphyry and Iamblichus, disciples of Plotinus, consciously developed the Neoplatonic system in opposition to Christianity.
When was the Platonic Academy finally closed by a Roman emperor?
Answer: 529 AD.
Explanation: The Platonic Academy was finally closed by the Roman emperor Justinian in 529 AD.
Platonism's view of the universe, as interpreted from the *Timaeus*, generally aligns with the Judaic tradition of a universe created in historical time.
Answer: False
Explanation: Platonism, as interpreted from the *Timaeus*, typically posits an eternal universe, which contrasts with the Judaic tradition of a universe created in historical time.
The Christian church integrated Platonic notions by understanding Plato's Forms as God's thoughts, a theological position known as divine conceptualism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Platonic notions found a permanent place in Christianity, with the Forms being understood as God's thoughts, a concept known as divine conceptualism.
St. Augustine was heavily influenced by Platonism through direct study of Plato's original Greek texts.
Answer: False
Explanation: St. Augustine was influenced by Platonism through Latin translations of works by Porphyry and/or Plotinus, not through direct study of Plato's original Greek texts.
During the Middle Ages, Aristotle became more influential than Plato in the 13th century, but Platonism retained fundamental aspects in philosophies like St. Thomas Aquinas's.
Answer: True
Explanation: While Aristotle's influence grew in the 13th century, Platonism remained authoritative in the Middle Ages and its aspects were retained in philosophies such as St. Thomas Aquinas's.
Orthodox Protestantism in continental Europe generally embraced Platonism and natural reason.
Answer: False
Explanation: Orthodox Protestantism in continental Europe generally distrusted natural reason and was often critical of Platonism.
Christoplatonism is a dualistic belief that holds matter is good and spirit is evil.
Answer: False
Explanation: Christoplatonism is a dualistic belief that posits spirit is good but matter is evil, the inverse of the statement.
How does Platonism's view of the universe, as interpreted from the *Timaeus*, typically contrast with the Judaic tradition?
Answer: Platonism describes an eternal universe, unlike the Judaic tradition of a created universe.
Explanation: Platonism, particularly as interpreted from the *Timaeus*, generally posits an eternal universe, which contrasts with the Judaic tradition that holds the universe was created in historical time.
How did St. Augustine become influenced by Platonism?
Answer: Through Latin translations of works by Porphyry and/or Plotinus.
Explanation: St. Augustine's exposure to Platonism occurred through Latin translations of works by Porphyry and/or Plotinus.
What characterized the Renaissance period's engagement with Platonic thought?
Answer: A renewed interest in Platonic thought, including a greater focus on Plato himself.
Explanation: The Renaissance was marked by a renewed scholarly interest in Platonic thought, with a particular emphasis on Plato's original writings.
Which group of religious thinkers in England was significantly influenced by Plato's ideas?
Answer: The Cambridge Platonists.
Explanation: The Cambridge Platonists were a notable group of English religious thinkers who were significantly influenced by Plato's ideas.
What is Christoplatonism, and what is its core dualistic belief?
Answer: A dualism holding that spirit is good but matter is evil.
Explanation: Christoplatonism describes a dualism that posits spirit as good and matter as evil, a belief that influenced certain Christian churches.
Why is Christoplatonism criticized by many Christian teachers today?
Answer: Because its dualistic belief that matter is evil contradicts the Biblical record of God calling everything He created good.
Explanation: Christoplatonism is criticized by many Christian teachers because its dualistic belief that matter is evil contradicts the Biblical affirmation of God's creation as 'good'.
Paul Benacerraf's epistemological challenge is considered the most influential criticism of contemporary Platonism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Paul Benacerraf's epistemological challenge, also known as Benacerraf's identification problem, is widely recognized as the most influential criticism of contemporary Platonism.
How is modern Platonism defined in contemporary philosophy?
Answer: The view that abstract objects exist, meaning objects that do not exist in space or time and are entirely non-physical and non-mental.
Explanation: Modern Platonism in contemporary philosophy defines abstract objects as existing entities that are non-spatial, non-temporal, non-physical, and non-mental.
Which 20th-century philosophers were significantly influenced by Plato's works?
Answer: Alfred North Whitehead and Nicolai Hartmann.
Explanation: Alfred North Whitehead and Nicolai Hartmann are identified as 20th-century philosophers who were decisively influenced by Plato's works.
To which works by Gottlob Frege do most contemporary Platonists trace their views regarding propositions and numbers?
Answer: Thought (for propositions) and The Foundations of Arithmetic (for numbers).
Explanation: Contemporary Platonists often trace their views on propositions to Frege's *Thought* and on numbers to his *The Foundations of Arithmetic*.