Notion of Idea According to Plato, Descartes, and Locke Essay

Introduction

Plato, the great scholar and meta-physicist coined the Greek word for an idea from the past tense of the verb 'to see.' It is said that this formulation was inspired by the works of the Pythagoras the mathematician. The simple meaning of an idea, and according to various English dictionaries, is a scheme, goal, or purpose. However, philosophers such as Plato, Locke, and Descartes had different conceptions of the word and continuously disagreed on the parameter that was used to define it. As such, it is important to understand the various notions of idea as posited by Socrates, Plato, and Descartes as is the aim of this paper.

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Plato's Notion of Idea

Plato posits that an idea is the ultimate reality of the world. As such, an idea differs from appearances since his allegory of the cave affirms the distinction between appearance and reality ("Plato's Theory of Ideas (With Critical Estimate))." Ideas are the essential features of the things that belong to a particular class. An idea forms the basis of the human understanding of concepts. For example, before one can conceptualize the meaning of a sentence, it is necessary that they have an idea about that which the words therein imply. An idea, according to Plato's reasoning is a substance. This characterization is based on the explanation that ultimate reality exists independently. Further, the ultimate fact is universal and so is an idea. It can be generalized to mean a variety of things depending on the mind that envisions it. Since there are many minds, ideas, too, are plural.

Plato insists that ideas and realities exist. However, he indicates that the only ideas that survive are those that are real. It is from this understanding that his concept of knowledge arises. According to Plato, general ideas and concepts must exist outside of one's mind for objectivity ("Plato's Theory of Ideas (With Critical Estimate))." An idea is a real entity that corresponds to a specific concept. This concept is referred to by Plato as knowledge.

Descartes Notion of Idea

Descartes defines an idea as a mode of thinking. According to this philosopher, ideas are ranked last in the ontological ladder, and this is a stark contrast to Plato's reasoning which places ideas at the top (Kurt). Descartes opines that ideas represent the thought process. As such, besides ideas which are categorized as simple modes, judging and doubting concepts are examples of methods of thinking. Notably, in both the simple and complex styles, an idea is the vehicle of representation. Descartes further categorizes an idea as having an objective and a formal reality. If an idea is considered a description of something, it is said to be an objective reality. On the other hand, if the idea is something in itself, then it is termed as a formal reality.

Further, Descartes indicates that the mind is distinct from the body. The mind comprises intellect and will. The intellectual faculty produces ideas. Notably, ideas are not visual images; instead, they represent objects without there being any resemblance. Descartes further classifies ideas as innate, adventitious, and those that are his invention (Kurt). Intellectual ideas result in the knowledge of reality. According to Descartes, it is important for one to think with the intellect if they purpose to gain any insight. It is the intellect that reveals realities. The senses, on the other hand, are associated with appearances.

Locke's Notion of Idea

Locke was not obsessed with defining the concept of ideas rather demonstrating their function. Accordingly, an idea is the fundamental unit of human thought. An idea encompasses all mental content including the abstract intellectual concepts and the real sensory impressions. Unlike Plato and Socrates who preferred to discuss the ontological status of an idea including deciding its in the ontological ladder, Locke concerned himself with an idea's epistemic metaphorical function. Ideas are not innate, according to Locke. The ability to formulate these gradually develops as one undergoes different experiences. Ideas and sensation go hand in hand in that an organ of sense communicates to the mind an idea that is related to a particular taste. According to Locke, the ideas of sensation are innumerable ("John Locke - Defining Knowledge - 1689"). When the mind works on these ideas of sensation, they (ideas) become the ideas of reflection. Ideas can further be classified as simple and complex depending on the associated number of attributes.

Human beings are always thinking about something. Locke defines the human thoughts as knowledge and opines that these ideas mediate knowledge. Essentially, it is the perception of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas ("John Locke - Defining Knowledge - 1689"). The materials of knowledge, according to Locke, are the sum of an individual's experiences. It is impossible to think about the things that one has never encountered. This knowledge is further classified as intuitive, demonstrative, and sensitive. It is, therefore, apparent; from Locke's account, that ideas beget knowledge.

Conclusion

Conclusively, Plato, Descartes, and Locke are of different schools of thought in so far as the definition of ideas is concerned. Plato believes that ideas are different from appearances and that they are the realities of the world. According to Descartes, are representations of the thought process, and they form objective or formal truths. Locke, on the other hand, opines that ideas are metaphorical and these birth knowledge.

Works Cited

"John Locke - Defining Knowledge - 1689." Concepts of Leadership, www.nwlink.com/~donclark/history_knowledge/locke.html.

"Plato's Theory of Ideas (With Critical Estimate)." Your Article Library, 19 July 2016, www.yourarticlelibrary.com/philosophy/philosophers/platos-theory-of-ideas-with-critical-estimate/85528.

Smith, Kurt. "Descartes' theory of ideas." (2007).