Plato argues that real knowledge derives from concepts rather than sensory perception
Evidence
There is however in Plato and among philosophers of certain other schools a very different doctrine, to the effect that there is nothing worthy to be called ‘knowledge’ to be derived from the senses, and that the only real knowledge has to do with concepts. … In this view, ‘2 + 2 = 4’ is genuine knowledge, but such a statement as ‘snow is white’ is so full of ambiguity and uncertainty that it cannot find a place in the philosopher’s corpus of truths. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 674
Categorization
- DEFINE: DEFINE
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 674
- XREF: connects to: Plato sacrificed intellectual honesty to promote socially edifying philosophical conclusions — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 403; Platonic dualism naturally generated an ascetic morality that Christianity partially adopted — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 611; Plato derived his metaphysical view of space from geometry reflections — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 661 (+16 more)
Library Connections
- Knowledge requires mental reflection on existence rather than passive sensory impressions
#corroborates(0.85) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 693 - Plato erroneously assimilated all forms of knowledge into mathematics
#complicates(0.50) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 718
Broader Connections
- Mathematical facts are true independently of human thought
#corroborates(0.75) — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 264 - Mathematical certainty led philosophers to suppose thought is superior to sense
#expands(0.60) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 203 - Descartes grounded certainty in thought, establishing mind as primary over matter.
#corroborates(0.55) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2069 - Reflective thought transforms obscurity and conflict into clarity and coherence
#expands(0.55) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 1307 - Intellectual work must produce new knowledges rather than recirculate known conclusions
#corroborates(0.55)