Flexing my Innate Ideas

This argument focuses on Plato's theory of Innate Ideas.  When a human body harbors an eternal mind and soul, experiences must be removed from emotion and the quest for Reason is the ultimate purpose of this embodiment.  Through this separation and removal we are able to recollect the prior knowledge our soul obtained throughout its everlasting journey.  The basis for any individual's "innate ideas" are determined by an undefinable realm where the Good and the Reason are paramount. This is to say then, that our (I will call them pure) ideas of life/purpose/humanity/experience/ and the state of our natural being continually emerge, consistent with the transcendence we experienced in a previous time.  How does this theory relate to the broader concepts we are familiar with in our material world? With  varying opinions of what is acceptable correlating with our moral standpoints, relationships, and personal justices how can is be concretely argued that we are all of the same Form? Isn't the very essence of humanity and natural will to express individual perspectives we contrive from being emotionally and intellectually aware?

World of Forms Vs. Material World

This entry specifically addresses some of the concepts Plato expresses.  Plato outlines that every object, being, creation, etc. are due to Forms- unchanging and everlasting properties.  He further states that this world of forms is more robust and meaningful that the material world we associate with.  This argument brings a set of conundrums to mind.  The basis that Plato maintains is that knowledge is just recollecting the prior knowledge and acknowledging the forms present eternally.  This is a cyclical theory that I feel crumbles upon itself.  If our knowledge is due to things we have always known and just failed to recognize, then what is the purpose of our material lives and how does the acknowledgment of the forms benefit individuals as well as the totality of beings? It seems slightly contradictory to me to base the importance of human experience on the notion that what impact we have is determined by what impact was made before us.  We are not, then, the masters of our own universe and our decisions are subconsciously formulated to repeat the cycle outline above.  I will next explore Plato's appreciation that perfection exists outside the material world.  As we discussed in class there is an infinite existence of perfection- such as a circle.  This realm is only present outside of the material world where perfection is capable.  What, then, is the relevance of knowing that perfection exists but we cannot experience it in this material world?  I feel it creates a problem in which we constantly assess our souls and their credentials compared to the infinite perfection that is unattainable.  Again, what benefit does this have to us in this life?

  If I falter in my analysis/review/argument of his ideals please feel free to challenge what I have said.  After all, enlightenment would just be the result of discovering what I already know.