Plato is the father of a type of rationalism sometimes called idealism which deduces ultimate reality lies beyond the senses – in what he calls the FORMS. It is understanding, not empirical certainty, that is the goal of true knowledge. His tradition is continued in the work of Immanuel Kant who similarly posits a realm beyond the senses where ultimate reality lies. John Hick (Religious Pluralism section of Christian Thought) sees God as the source of this divine essence – untouchable, unknowable, unprovable but posited as the ultimate reality which makes sense of everything. Key references are hyperlinked (including Julia Annas‘ excellent, if quite challenging  introduction to Plato) through the specification below to help you navigate this area. PB

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1. Philosophical Language and Thought: Plato

Learners will study significant concepts and issues in the philosophy of religion through the works of key thinkers.

1.1. Content

The philosophical views of Plato, in relation to:
• understanding of reality
• the Forms
• the analogy of the cave

1.2 Knowledge

• Plato’s reliance on reason as opposed to the senses
• the nature of the Forms; hierarchy of the Forms
• details of the cave analogy, its purpose and relation to the theory of the Forms

1.3 Issues as the basis of exam questions

Learners should have the opportunity to discuss issues related to the ideas of Plato, including:
• comparison and evaluation of Plato’s Form of the Good
• comparison and evaluation of Plato’s reliance on reason (rationalism)

1.4 Suggested scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority

For reference, the ideas of Plato listed above can be found in:
• Plato, Republic Book 474c–480; 506b–509c; 509d–511e; 514a–517c

Learners will be given credit for referring to any appropriate scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority, however the following examples may prove useful:
• Annas, J. (1998) An Introduction to Plato’s Republic, Oxford University Press, Chapters 9 and 10
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2004, rev.2013), Plato, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato/