The Meaning of Life in Plato's Philosophy with Emphasis on the Doctrin of the "Form of Good"

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MA of Philosophy, University of Tabriz

2 Assistant professor of philosophy, Tabriz university

3 Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Tabriz

Abstract

The question of the "meaning of life" and its answer, is one of the most important concerns of the human mind. Some argue that research of the meaning of life in fact is the study of the "end" or "purpose" of life. In this article, we attempt to examine the meaning of life according to Plato's belife in the end of life. Plato's Philosophy is a type of life philosophy and life's meaning is discovered by a philosophy based on the "absolute truth". According to plato, human life is a purposeful process that its end is the "Form of Good". The process is implied the knowledge and love of the Good along with acquisition of virtues. The "Form of Good" is located as the king of the intelligible world and is absolute goodness and beauty and its attainment, is the end of "philosophia": philosophical life is the best way for attaining the Good. Due to the Plato's teleological view of life and position of the Form of Good in his philosophical system it is appropriate that attribute to him supernaturalistic point of view of the meaning of life.

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 10, Issue 18 - Serial Number 18
Articles
2016
Pages 243-264

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