Sensible vs. Intelligible Realms

Definition

The sensible and intelligible realms are two key aspects of Plato's epistemology, where the sensible realm refers to the world of physical objects that can be perceived through the senses, while the intelligible realm encompasses the world of Forms or Ideas, which can only be grasped through reason and intellect. This distinction is crucial in understanding Plato's theory of knowledge, particularly the process of recollection, where knowledge is seen as an innate understanding of these Forms that we forget upon entering the physical world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sensible realm includes everything that can be seen, touched, or otherwise experienced through sensory perception, such as objects and physical experiences.
2. In contrast, the intelligible realm consists of abstract concepts and eternal truths that cannot be accessed through the senses but require intellectual insight.
3. Plato believed that learning is a process of recollection, where we remember knowledge from our souls' prior existence in the intelligible realm.
4. The distinction between these realms helps explain Plato's view on the nature of reality, where the intelligible realm is more real than the changing, imperfect physical world.
5. Plato's theory posits that true knowledge (episteme) comes from understanding the intelligible realm, while opinion (doxa) is derived from interacting with the sensible realm.

Review Questions

• How do the sensible and intelligible realms relate to Plato's theory of knowledge and recollection?
  • Plato's theory posits that knowledge is rooted in the intelligible realm, where eternal Forms reside. The sensible realm is filled with imperfect copies of these Forms, which we experience through our senses. According to Plato, learning is essentially recalling these Forms that our souls knew before birth but forgot when entering the physical world. Thus, knowledge is not about acquiring new information but rediscovering what we already know.
• Discuss how Plato's distinction between the sensible and intelligible realms challenges our understanding of reality and perception.
  • Plato's distinction presents a dualistic view of reality where what we perceive through our senses in the sensible realm is deceptive and transient. This challenges us to reconsider our reliance on sensory experience as a source of truth. Instead, he suggests that true understanding comes from engaging with the intelligible realm, where immutable truths exist. This perspective encourages a deeper inquiry into what constitutes reality and how we can achieve genuine knowledge beyond mere appearances.
• Evaluate how the allegory of the cave illustrates the differences between the sensible and intelligible realms within Plato's philosophy.
  • The allegory of the cave serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding Plato's views on perception and knowledge. In this allegory, prisoners represent individuals trapped in the sensible realm, only seeing shadows of reality cast on a wall. When one prisoner escapes and perceives the outside world, they experience the Forms directly—the intelligible realm. This transformation symbolizes enlightenment and emphasizes that true knowledge involves moving beyond sensory illusions to grasp fundamental truths. The allegory highlights Plato's belief that education is a journey from ignorance to understanding, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and transcending sensory limitations.

Related terms

Forms: Abstract entities that represent the perfect and unchanging essence of objects and concepts in the intelligible realm.

Knowledge: A justified true belief that, according to Plato, is achieved through recalling the eternal truths of the intelligible realm.

Allegory of the Cave: A philosophical metaphor used by Plato to illustrate the difference between the sensible world and the intelligible realm, showing how people can be trapped in ignorance.