Final answer:
According to Plato's transcendental point of view, the physical world is a mere representation of the perfect world of ideas. Plato believed that understanding the essence of things requires studying universal patterns through science and mathematics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical world is a mere representation, a copy, or mimesis, of the perfect world according to Plato's transcendental point of view. Plato believed that the world we live in is imperfect because it is made of substance that decays, while the perfect world exists as the world of ideas. Plato argues that to understand the essence of things, one must follow science and mathematics to uncover the universal patterns underlying all that is real.
This perspective is in contrast to a materialistic view that equates reality solely with the physical world. Plato's philosophy centers on the idea that the physical world is a shadow or reflection of a higher and truer reality. The physical world is a manifestation of the divine consciousness and can be understood through the study of ontology, which explores the nature of existence.
From Plato's transcendental point of view, the physical world is a reflection of the perfect world of ideas, and understanding its essence requires delving into universal patterns through science and mathematics. This perspective challenges a materialistic view that equates reality solely with the physical world.