Being vs. Becoming

Definition

Being vs. becoming is a philosophical concept that contrasts the state of existence (being) with the process of change and development (becoming). This distinction is crucial in understanding Plato's views on reality, where being represents the eternal and unchanging realm of Forms, while becoming refers to the transient and mutable world of sensory experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plato believes that true knowledge is about understanding the eternal Forms, which embody 'being,' as opposed to the sensory world that represents 'becoming.'
2. In the realm of becoming, everything is subject to change, decay, and impermanence, highlighting the limitations of sensory experience.
3. Plato uses allegories, like the Allegory of the Cave, to illustrate how most people are trapped in a world of becoming and are unaware of the higher reality of being.
4. The distinction between being and becoming reflects Plato's dualism, where reality is divided into the intelligible (being) and the visible (becoming).
5. This concept influences later philosophical thoughts about metaphysics and ontology, impacting how we think about existence and reality today.

Review Questions

• How does Plato differentiate between being and becoming in his philosophical thought?
  • Plato differentiates between being and becoming by asserting that being pertains to the unchanging and eternal realm of Forms, which are the true essences of things. In contrast, becoming relates to the transient and ever-changing physical world we perceive through our senses. This distinction emphasizes that while sensory experiences can provide information about the world, they cannot lead us to true knowledge or understanding, which resides in the realm of being.
• Discuss how the concepts of being and becoming influence Plato's views on knowledge and reality.
  • The concepts of being and becoming significantly shape Plato's views on knowledge by suggesting that genuine knowledge must focus on the unchanging Forms rather than the unreliable world of becoming. Knowledge derived from sensory experience is seen as flawed because it pertains to things that are in constant flux. Consequently, Plato argues that only through philosophical reasoning and dialectic can individuals attain true knowledge about what truly exists—the realm of being—leading to a deeper understanding of reality.
• Evaluate how Plato's distinction between being and becoming contributes to contemporary philosophical debates about existence.
  • Plato's distinction between being and becoming continues to influence contemporary philosophical debates regarding existence by framing discussions around realism versus nominalism, as well as essentialism versus existentialism. His idea that there is an immutable truth in the realm of being challenges modern relativistic perspectives that see truth as subjective or context-dependent. Additionally, this dichotomy raises questions about how we understand change and stability in our lives, pushing philosophers to reconsider what it means for something to truly 'exist' amidst constant change.

Related terms

Forms: The ideal, abstract entities that represent the true essence of things, according to Plato. They exist in a realm of being and are unchanging.

Epistemology: The study of knowledge and justified belief. In relation to being and becoming, it explores how we can know what truly exists versus what is subject to change.

Dialectic: A method of argument for resolving disagreement that involves dialogue between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject. In Plato's philosophy, it is used to reach higher truths about being.