Platonism and English Literature

Platonism: Etymology and Concept

Platonism, derived from the Greek philosopher Plato’s name, is a philosophical tradition that has significantly influenced Western thought, particularly in the realm of literary studies. Rooted in the teachings and dialogues of Plato, this school of thought emphasizes the existence of abstract, eternal, and unchanging forms or ideas that are considered the ultimate reality. In literary studies, Platonism often refers to the belief in universal truths and ideals that transcend the material world and are reflected in artistic creations.

In the context of English literary studies, Platonism manifests in several key concepts:

• The Theory of Forms: This central tenet posits that the physical world is a mere imitation of perfect, unchanging forms that exist in a higher realm. Literary works can be seen as attempts to capture and express these eternal forms through language and imagery.
• The Allegory of the Cave: This famous allegory, found in Plato’s Republic, illustrates the distinction between the illusory world of appearances and the true reality of forms. It serves as a metaphor for the human quest for knowledge and understanding, often explored in literature through characters’ journeys of self-discovery.
• The Ideal of Beauty: Plato believed in an absolute and transcendent concept of beauty, often associated with goodness and truth. Literary works can be analyzed for their depiction of beauty and its relationship to other themes.
• Love and the Transcendent: Plato’s dialogues explore the concept of love as a means of ascending from the physical world to the realm of forms. This idea can be traced in literary portrayals of love as a transformative and enlightening force.
• The Philosopher-Poet: Plato, while critical of poetry, envisioned the ideal philosopher as someone who could grasp the forms and communicate their truth through language. This notion has influenced literary criticism, with some critics viewing poets as possessing a unique insight into reality.

Platonism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Key Theorists of Platonism:

• Plato: The founder of Platonism, his dialogues, including “The Republic,” “Phaedo,” and “Symposium,” articulate the core tenets of the philosophy, such as the Theory of Forms, the Allegory of the Cave, and the concept of the philosopher-king.
• Plotinus: A major figure in Neoplatonism, his “Enneads” expanded on Platonic ideas, emphasizing the One as the ultimate reality and the soul’s journey back to it.
• Augustine of Hippo: A Christian theologian influenced by Platonism, his works like “Confessions” and “The City of God” integrated Platonic concepts with Christian theology.
• Marsilio Ficino: A Renaissance philosopher who revived interest in Plato, his translations and commentaries on Plato’s works helped to popularize Platonism in Europe.

Key Works of Platonism:

• “The Republic” by Plato: A comprehensive work exploring various aspects of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics.
• “Phaedo” by Plato: A dialogue focusing on the immortality of the soul and the nature of knowledge.
• “Symposium” by Plato: A series of speeches on the topic of love, culminating in Socrates’ description of the ascent to the Form of Beauty.
• “Enneads” by Plotinus: A collection of treatises on metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics, outlining a Neoplatonic worldview.
• “Confessions” by Augustine of Hippo: An autobiographical account of Augustine’s spiritual journey and conversion to Christianity, incorporating Platonic ideas.

Key Arguments of Platonism:

• The Theory of Forms: The argument that the physical world is a mere imitation of perfect, unchanging forms that exist in a higher realm.
• The Allegory of the Cave: The argument that the physical world is an illusion and that true knowledge comes from understanding the forms.
• The Ideal of Beauty: The argument that beauty is an objective and transcendent quality that exists independently of human perception.
• Love and the Transcendent: The argument that love is a means of ascending from the physical world to the realm of forms.
• The Philosopher-Poet: The argument that poets have a unique ability to intuit the forms and communicate their truth through language.

Platonism: Principles

Platonic Principle	Definition	Literary Example
Theory of Forms	The belief in perfect, unchanging forms or ideas that exist in a higher realm and are imperfectly reflected in the material world.	Romeo and Juliet: Their idealized love transcends the physical constraints of their families’ feud.
Allegory of the Cave	An allegory illustrating the distinction between the illusory world of appearances and the true reality of forms, achievable through philosophical inquiry.	The Divine Comedy: Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven symbolizes a spiritual ascent towards greater understanding and enlightenment.
Ideal of Beauty	The belief in an absolute and transcendent concept of beauty, linked to goodness and truth, as a manifestation of the divine.	Ode on a Grecian Urn: Keats’ poem celebrates the timeless beauty of art as a reflection of higher truths.
Love and the Transcendent	The concept of love as a philosophical yearning for the divine, a means of ascending from the physical world to the realm of forms.	Rumi’s poetry: Celebrates mystical union with the divine through love as a transformative and enlightening force.
The Philosopher-Poet	The ideal philosopher possesses the ability to grasp the forms and communicate their truth through language, akin to a poet’s insight.	A Defence of Poetry: Shelley’s essay argues for the poet’s role as a legislator of the world, capable of revealing profound truths about the human condition.

Platonism: How to Use in Critiques

Step	Action	Example
1. Familiarize Yourself	Thoroughly understand the core tenets of Platonism: Theory of Forms, Allegory of the Cave, the ideal of Beauty, Love and the Transcendent, and the Philosopher-Poet.	Read Plato’s dialogues, such as “The Republic,” “Phaedo,” and “Symposium,” as well as secondary sources on Platonic philosophy.
2. Identify Platonic Elements	Analyze the text for elements that resonate with Platonic ideas:	– Idealized characters or settings, journeys of self-discovery, depictions of transcendent beauty, transformative love, characters with unique insight into reality.
3. Apply Platonic Concepts	Use Platonic principles as a lens to interpret the text’s deeper meaning:	– How does the text reflect the Theory of Forms? Is there an allegory of the cave? How is beauty portrayed? Is love transformative? Are there philosopher-poet figures?
4. Develop Your Thesis Statement	Formulate a clear and concise thesis statement articulating your main argument about how Platonic ideas are manifested in the text.	“In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s depiction of Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy embodies the Platonic ideal of love as a yearning for the transcendent.”
5. Provide Textual Evidence	Support your claims with specific examples from the text, using direct quotes and detailed analysis.	“Gatsby’s idealized vision of Daisy… is not merely a romantic infatuation but a yearning for an unattainable perfection, reminiscent of Plato’s Forms.”
6. Consider Counterarguments	Acknowledge and address potential counterarguments, exploring instances where the text might challenge or subvert Platonic ideals.	“While Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy aligns with Platonic love, his materialistic approach contradicts the philosophical ideal, suggesting a critique of its limitations.”
7. Conclude Your Critique	Summarize your findings and discuss the implications of your Platonic analysis for understanding the text’s meaning and significance.	“By examining The Great Gatsby through a Platonic lens, we gain a deeper understanding of Gatsby’s motivations and the novel’s commentary on the pursuit of idealized love.”

Platonism: Criticism Against it

• Epistemological Concerns:
  • How can we have knowledge of abstract Forms if they exist in a separate realm from our sensory experience?
  • Is our knowledge of Forms innate or acquired through experience?
  • Can we ever be certain that our understanding of Forms accurately reflects their true nature?
• Ontological Concerns:
  • Do Forms truly exist independently of the physical world?
  • How can abstract Forms cause or explain events in the material world?
  • What is the relationship between Forms and particulars (individual instances)?
• Ethical and Political Concerns:
  • Does Plato’s emphasis on ideal forms lead to a disregard for the complexities and imperfections of the real world?
  • Can Plato’s concept of the philosopher-king be used to justify authoritarian or elitist forms of government?
  • Does Platonism prioritize abstract ideals over the practical needs and concerns of individuals?
• Linguistic Concerns:
  • Can language adequately represent or capture the essence of abstract Forms?
  • Does Plato’s emphasis on the ideal lead to a devaluation of the particularity and diversity of language and experience?
• Challenges from Other Philosophical Schools:
  • Aristotle’s critique of Plato’s Theory of Forms, arguing that forms are inherent in particulars rather than existing in a separate realm.
  • Nominalism’s rejection of the existence of abstract entities like Forms, arguing that only particulars exist.
  • Modern scientific approaches that emphasize empirical evidence and reject the notion of a transcendent realm of Forms.

Platonism: Key Terms

Key Term	Short Definition
Form	An abstract, perfect, and unchanging entity that exists in a separate realm from the physical world.
World of Forms	The realm where Forms exist, also known as the realm of Ideas.
World of Shadows	The physical world, an imperfect imitation of the World of Forms.
Philosopher-King	The ideal ruler, who possesses knowledge of the Forms and governs according to reason and justice.
Dualism	The view that reality is divided into two distinct realms: the physical and the non-physical (or mental/spiritual).
Anamnesis	The recollection of knowledge of the Forms that the soul possessed before birth.
Dialectic	A method of philosophical inquiry involving dialogue and logical reasoning to arrive at the truth.
Demiurge	A divine craftsman who creates the physical world by imitating the Forms.
Eros	Philosophical love, a desire for wisdom and the beautiful, leading one towards the Forms.
The Good	The ultimate Form, representing the highest good and the source of all other Forms.

Platonism: Suggested Readings