- Central to Plato’s thought is the
theory of forms, which holds that there exists a realm of forms, perfect
ideals of which things in this world are but imperfect copies. The world
that we see around us, according to this theory, is but a pale shadow of
the ultimate reality. Things may appear beautiful, or just, insofar as =
they
imitate the forms Beauty and Justice, but the imperfect and changeable
world cannot capture the glory of the eternal and absolute forms.<=
/o:p>
- The influence of this “Realm of
Ideas” on later Christian thought, in which man is made in the im=
age
and likeness of God, is one way in which Plato had a direct influence on
Christian theology
-
He believed humans were born with innate knowledge that we have
forgotten coming into this world. Education assists the soul in remembe=
ring
these perfect ideals (Realm of ideas)
-
In the Laws, Plato deems the need of religion to ensure order in=
the
city. Basically, men have to hold three key beliefs: that god exists (t=
hat
is, that the world is not a purely "material" thing, product =
of
chance or necessity); that they care for the world; and that they canno=
t be
"bought" or corrupted by material gifts
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