The Unity and Diversity of Plato's Forms

The Classification Scheme of Holger Thesleff

Authors

• Necip Fikri Alican https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8068-7687

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71390/arctos.161176

Keywords:

Plato, Plato's metaphysics, Plato's Forms, Thesleff's two-level model, classification of Forms, ideal Forms, conceptual Forms, relational Forms

Abstract

This paper examines the conception of Forms under the two-level model of Holger Thesleff for the interpretation of Plato. The primary focus is on the classification of Forms into three different categories comprising Ideal Forms, Conceptual Forms, and Relational Forms. The corresponding coverage favors the last of these categories in terms of the attention devoted, space reserved, and time dedicated to the elucidation of each one, aiming thereby to make up for its natural propensity to be confused with either one of the other two categories. The overall effort complements previous discussions of the topic, as opposed to repeating, rescinding, or revising any of them. It consequently brings out, more clearly than attempted or accomplished before, the similarities and differences between the three categories as an extension or reflection of the organic relationship between the classification of Forms and the two-level model itself.

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