Arguments for the existence of the soul IV & Plato's Forms

The lecture begins with a continued discussion of the Cartesian argument and its weaknesses. The lecture then turns to Plato's metaphysical views in the context of his work, Phaedo. The key point in the discussion is the idea that in addition to the ordinary empirical world that we are familiar with, we posit the existence of a second realm in which the Platonic forms exist. These forms are the abstract properties that we attribute to physical objects, such as beauty, justice, goodness and so on. Since it is the soul that conceives of these Platonic forms and ideas, Plato argues that the soul not only outlives the body but lasts forever. It is perfect, immaterial and indestructible.

Previous Lecture: http://www.videosift.com/video/Arguments-for-the-existence-of-a-soul-part-III

Next Lecture: http://www.videosift.com/video/Plato-Part-II-Arguments-for-the-Immortality-of-the-Soul

Playlist of the entire course: http://www.videosift.com/playlists/mauz15/Philosophy-of-Death-Yale-University
rougysays...

Great lecture.

As I watch, he mentioned justice. Justice as an end, not a vague concept masked by laws, or crimes, or talking points.

As to the soul, it probably can't be proved. To prove it would spoil the game.

I believe that I've been here before, and I think there is a good chance I'll come back again, but I have nothing to support that belief.

The existence of the soul is almost irrelevant, really, in human terms, in the sense that we must interact with one another here and now.

We do not need souls to weigh our actions against the future, and to consider how our actions today will impact the lives of billions of people tomorrow, people who are not yet born, not yet in wombs.

If we were as smart as we thought we were, we would weigh our actions against centuries.

The soul. The beginning and the end. Forever and the void.

When I was conceived, I don't know if my parents were doing it missionary style in the front seat, or doggy style in the back seat, yet here I am just the same.

I am an imperfect poet, living in an imperfect world, with imperfect people, and wherever I can, I will try to make it better than it was.

I will strive to 'progress.'

And soul or no soul, I choose that path of my own free will, with the hopes that, if I'm right, the world will be a better place the next time I'm here.

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