Plato and RenT Descartes

This serves as a sound, keen-witted starting point that lends itself to a series of different formal leaps. If, for example, one were then to happen upon another apple, one depart likely employment the same faculties to deduce that the original unit "apple" has now been augmented by an additional unit, in effect doubling one's meter of apples. A mathematical adage now emerges: one-plus-one-equals-two. It is from these sound first principles that an entire intellectual assure is founded, with each successive step proceeding logically from other rational premises. If executed properly, "true" theories will be debateed.

In philosophy, as in mathematics, both Plato and Descartes understand that the proper use of reason will yield sound first principles that yield the hallmark of Goodness, or the Good life. For Plato, the Good is tied inexorably to virtue, which is defined in relation to knowledge (Grube). For Descartes, the process of freethinking reveals first principles that hinge upon the fact that God exists, and that the mind exists (Descartes). every last(predicate) subsequent facets of these thinkers' philosophies be refracted through these prismatic first principles. more than importantly, any individual that uses his powers of reason properly will reach these same conclusions him or herself.

That, in essence, is the beauty of reason; it is empower in each of us, equipping us all with the magnate to perceive Truth (whether or not we use this ability, or exercise

Descartes, RenT: Translated by Cress, Donald A. confabulation on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, 4th Edition. inchpolis, Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 1998.

Because Plato believes that absolute moral knowledge is possible (albeit difficult) to acquire, he must ground his ethics in a schema of objects that are eternal and unchanging. Like the apple scenario sketched above, in which in that location must be a clearly established quantity "one" and "two" (and "three", etc.) if reliable mathematical principles are to be derived, in Plato there must be a system of immutable builds if reliable philosophical principles are to be discovered. The Forms are perfect and immutable; the highest of which represents the ultimate Good, or the Form of the Good (Grube 142-162).

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