Platonism as a Philosophical Method

• Main Author: Ignacio García Peña
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2018-01-01
• Series: Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts
• Online Access: https://www.athensjournals.gr/humanities/2018-5-1-3-Pena.pdf

The concept of Platonism has shown variations throughout history, but generally it has been associated with those thinkers who have accepted, with different permutations, the so-called Theory of Ideas, a theory defended by those who have advocated for the existence of immaterial, universal and transcendent entities. Philosophical doctrines such as nominalism, existentialism or postmodernism have opposed this type of thinking in ways that might be considered anti-Platonic. What will be defended here, however, is that Platonism is not a specific doctrine, but rather a way of understanding philosophy itself. It is true that the meaning of the thought and works of the great Athenian philosopher has been discussed since the first members of the Academy appeared until the present day. This is precisely one of the fundamental features of Platonism, the constant need for discussion and criticism, which, in line with the Socratic method, is always present in Plato. Some philosophers, such as Popper, stressed the importance of conceiving philosophy as a process, a constant search for knowledge maintaining a sceptical and critical attitude, as seen in Platoʼs dialogues. This concept of Platonism is still very useful in the contemporary areas of education, ethics and politics. Rethinking this matter may allow us to improve our way of understanding, teaching and practicing philosophy more fruitfully.