PHIL 130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Simile, Golden Rule, Omnipotence
PHIL 130
Lecture 3
Augustine, Plato, Hume
PLATO
Goodness
oIs not knowledge because we’re trying to figure out knowledge of goodness. Can
always ask which knowledge constitutes goodness
oNot pleasure
oGoodness cannot be defined
Similie of the sun
oVisible realm
Includes receptor (eye), object for sight (object), light (sun/source of
light)
oIntelligible realm
Includes Mind (brain, Thought (e=mc2), truth and reality
(goodness:source)
Simile of the Cave
oPeople braced into chair, cannot move, staring at wall, all they know is sitting still
and looking at the wall
oEventually breaks free and learns new things about what he knows, such as
shadows, sees fire for the first time
oAfter seeing reflection of tree in water, realizes that shadows were representing
people moving in the cave
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Document Summary
Goodness: is not knowledge because we"re trying to figure out knowledge of goodness. Can always ask which knowledge constitutes goodness: not pleasure, goodness cannot be defined. Includes receptor (eye), object for sight (object), light (sun/source of light: intelligible realm. Includes mind (brain, thought (e=mc2), truth and reality (goodness:source) Every evil man is the creator of evil; humans are the source of evil. Something is not evil if it is forbidden by the law, but rather forbidden by law because its evil. Golden rule violation does not equal evil (man gives wife to perform adultery, take other man"s wife) People are able to commit evil acts because of free-will which is given by god. Need free-will in order to act with moral righteousness. Free-will requires knowledge (choose to do right and wrong) and ability to choose. If we reject knowledge, then we are responsible for sins. In order for morality and immorality to exist there need to be free will.
