Final answer:
Plato's philosophy suggests we need to comprehend the realm of ideal forms and moral order to truly appreciate a man's decision, emphasizing abstract reasoning and the essence of virtues over physical and emotional aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Plato, to truly understand the decision that a man made, we need to understand the nature of the ideal forms and the moral order. Plato's Theory of Forms posits that the material world is a shadow of the true reality, which is the realm of forms - abstract, perfect ideas that represent the essence of all things. In terms of human understanding and decision-making, what matters are not the sensory or physical aspects of existence, but rather engaging with these ideal forms through reason and abstract reasoning.
For Plato, the senses often deceive, and it is through reason that we can ascend to true knowledge, found not in the physical world but in the realm of these eternal forms. As such, understanding a person's actions necessitates comprehension of the forms - the essence of virtue and moral goodness that exists beyond the material realm. Understanding a man's decision requires philosophical contemplation, rather than knowledge of his emotional state, upbringing, background, or physical appearance, which are all transient and misleading.