I think true Platonism is at odds witch Christian theism as nothing eternal can be distinct from God. I actually think that Augustine and Aquinas together offer a more proper conception, namely, that the forms are actually the immutable ideas (thoughts) of God rather than in some other realm to which God must look for a pattern of creation (which I take to be Plato’s thesis). So if we take this Christianized view of the Forms then Plato may largely be right. But then there is no inherent contradiction between this view and that of Aristotle’s in my opinion. The forms may have an existence separate from particulars and matter but also be instantiated into particulars by the Creator. So then the Forms are in the mind of God eternal and also present by creation in the material world by participation.
Hi there Amy! Guess what-I’m a Platonist! That was a fun quiz but I am honestly quite the contemplative type. Thanks for the article, brilliant as always.
Lol, I'm a Platonist Amy. Go figure. Nice quiz! I'll have to share it with friends. Thank you for your insights and commendation. I think this might be the most fundamental question we need to ask ourselves, even before discussing more modern orientations such as post-Christian or post-modern. The next question after Plato and Aristotle, in my mind, is where we stand on Descartes who seems to be the most significant model after Thomas and the scholastics. Plato to Aristotle to Descartes represents a devolution in my mind as opposed to an evolution of thought. Then we have to get to Nietzsche and Heidegger and the entire issue of metaphysics itself. Great discussion Amy!
I am a Platonian. However, I agree with Mr. Allee's comments. The "forms" exist as an unachievable perfection. Indeed, we accept this in geometry when we study points, lines and planes. We also accept this on maps; roads and other symbols are not drawn to scale. We see perfect cakes in cookbooks and accept that we may get close, very close even, to that perfect cake, but we accept we won't always repeat it.
And, of course, we accept that all of us fall short of the Glory of God. Jesus was perfect and we try to be like him knowing we never can. God would not invent a universe without donutness, I don't care what you say.
I think true Platonism is at odds witch Christian theism as nothing eternal can be distinct from God. I actually think that Augustine and Aquinas together offer a more proper conception, namely, that the forms are actually the immutable ideas (thoughts) of God rather than in some other realm to which God must look for a pattern of creation (which I take to be Plato’s thesis). So if we take this Christianized view of the Forms then Plato may largely be right. But then there is no inherent contradiction between this view and that of Aristotle’s in my opinion. The forms may have an existence separate from particulars and matter but also be instantiated into particulars by the Creator. So then the Forms are in the mind of God eternal and also present by creation in the material world by participation.
Hi there Amy! Guess what-I’m a Platonist! That was a fun quiz but I am honestly quite the contemplative type. Thanks for the article, brilliant as always.
That "no donut" question has shaken me up too much to continue. I will do this tomorrow.
Why did you single out donuts? People have feelings, you know.
Lol, I'm a Platonist Amy. Go figure. Nice quiz! I'll have to share it with friends. Thank you for your insights and commendation. I think this might be the most fundamental question we need to ask ourselves, even before discussing more modern orientations such as post-Christian or post-modern. The next question after Plato and Aristotle, in my mind, is where we stand on Descartes who seems to be the most significant model after Thomas and the scholastics. Plato to Aristotle to Descartes represents a devolution in my mind as opposed to an evolution of thought. Then we have to get to Nietzsche and Heidegger and the entire issue of metaphysics itself. Great discussion Amy!
Fun quiz! Turns out I’m an Aristotelian. Probably due to years and years in the sciences.
I am a Platonian. However, I agree with Mr. Allee's comments. The "forms" exist as an unachievable perfection. Indeed, we accept this in geometry when we study points, lines and planes. We also accept this on maps; roads and other symbols are not drawn to scale. We see perfect cakes in cookbooks and accept that we may get close, very close even, to that perfect cake, but we accept we won't always repeat it.
And, of course, we accept that all of us fall short of the Glory of God. Jesus was perfect and we try to be like him knowing we never can. God would not invent a universe without donutness, I don't care what you say.
Will you post results, Amy?