Platonism
Ancient idealist doctrine
Platonism is the philosophy derived from Plato, centered on the belief that abstract forms or ideas are more real than physical objects.
A perfect circle exists as an ideal form; actual circles are imperfect copies.
The theory extends to concepts like justice, beauty, and goodness—eternal truths accessible through reason rather than the senses.
His Platonism led him to distrust empirical science.
In casual use, Platonic (lowercase) usually refers to nonsexual relationships, from Plato's conception of ideal love transcending physical desire.
Properties holding across all
- archetypesUniversal symbolic patterns
- particularsIndividual facts or details
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- ideal formsPerfect abstract originals
allegory of the cave · divided line · participation · exemplars · eternal truths · immutability · immanence · instantiation
Plotinus's systematic mystical metaphysics
- scholasticismRigorous dialectical learning method
- emanationismDoctrine of cosmic outpouring
Study of existence's nature
- dualismPhilosophy of opposed pairs
- realismAccepting things as they are
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- immaterialityAbsence of physical form
being · becoming · emanation · nous · world soul · demiurge · receptacle · henosis
Recalled past, especially medical
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- a prioriIndependent of experience
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- Socratic methodTeaching by strategic questioning
contemplation · philosopher-king · education · enlightenment · reason · intellection · truth
Ancient Athenian questioning philosopher
- AugustineFourth-century church father
- Pseudo-DionysiusPseudonymous late-antique theologian
universals
Properties holding across all
- archetypesUniversal symbolic patterns
- particularsIndividual facts or details
- essenceFundamental nature of something
ideal forms · allegory of the cave · divided line · participation · exemplars · eternal truths · immutability · immanence · instantiation
Neoplatonism
Plotinus's systematic mystical metaphysics
- scholasticismRigorous dialectical learning method
- emanationismDoctrine of cosmic outpouring
ontology
Study of existence's nature
- dualismPhilosophy of opposed pairs
- realismAccepting things as they are
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
immateriality · being · becoming · emanation · nous · world soul · demiurge · receptacle · henosis · participation
anamnesis
Recalled past, especially medical
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- a prioriIndependent of experience
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
Socratic method · contemplation · philosopher-king · education · enlightenment · reason · intellection · truth
Socrates
Ancient Athenian questioning philosopher
- AugustineFourth-century church father
- Pseudo-DionysiusPseudonymous late-antique theologian
Republic
State without monarchy
- Classical AntiquityAncient Greece, Ancient Rome, Greeks, Romans, Roman Empire
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
- ancient GreeceAthens, Sparta, Zeus, Parthenon, Acropolis
- Ideasidealism, materialism, empiricism, rationalism, liberalism
- philosophiesempiricism, stoicism, nihilism, idealism, materialism
- philosophyethics, logic, metaphysics, ontology, epistemology
Platonismmaterialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
physicalism · naturalism · atomism · Epicureanism · nominalism
Platonismempiricism
Knowledge through observation
sensationalism · positivism · experimentalism · pragmatism · instrumentalism
Platonismnominalism
Universals exist as labels only
conceptualism · particularism · constructivism · conventionalism
- platonic loveEmotional bond sans desire
- platonic idealFlawless non-sexual relationship model
- platonic attractionNonsexual interpersonal draw
- platonic formsPerfect non-physical archetypes
- platonic solidCongruent-faced convex shape