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Single Idea 24288

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / b. Partaking]

Full Idea

What appears to me most likely is these forms are like patterns set in nature, and other things resemble them and are likenesses; and this partaking of the forms is simply being modeled on them.

Gist of Idea

Probably partaking in the Forms is like being modeled on a pattern

Source

Plato (Parmenides [c.366 BCE], 132c)

A Reaction

This invites the question of whether the things depend for their existence on the Forms, or whether things could survive the loss of their patterns (if Zeus destroyed all the Forms). Plato generally implies dependence.

Book Reference

Plato: 'Parmenides', ed/tr. Gill,M.L./Ryan,P. [Hackett 1996], p.134