52.9k views
3 votes
Let my reader suppose himself to constitute for a time all the reality there is in the universe, and then to receive the announcement that another being is to be created who shall know him truly. How will he represent the knowing in advance?

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The question delves into philosophical themes of knowledge and existence, resembling Plato's theory of forms, where true knowledge comes from recollecting pure essences.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question invites us to ponder a philosophical scenario involving the nature of knowledge and existence. Contemplating the creation of a being capable of truly knowing an existing entity presupposes a similar metaphysical landscape as that of Plato's realm of forms. In philosophy, particularly in theories of epistemology and ontology, questions about knowledge and its relation to an observer's existence are crucial.

Plato's theory of knowledge relies on the notion of recollection, where the soul, prior to its embodiment, has knowledge of perfect forms or essences. Upon entering the body, the soul experiences confusion as it engages with the particulars of the sensory world. This process distracts the soul from the pure knowledge of essences it once had.

Alongside Plato, the question alludes to themes presented in various literary and philosophical works, such as the harmony in apparent discord and the relationship of individual perception to a broader, possibly divine, order. The quotes provided touch upon different aspects of existence, knowledge, the universe, and the divine in ways that resonate with the subject of ontology and invite reflection on the interconnectedness of all things. They promote an understanding of a universal order that may align with what is 'right' or predetermined.

User Ammar Ul Hassan
by
8.2k points