Knowledge as recollection

Definition

Knowledge as recollection is the philosophical idea that learning is essentially the process of recalling truths that the soul already knows from prior existence. This concept suggests that rather than acquiring new knowledge, individuals merely remember insights or forms that their soul has encountered before, linking it to deeper levels of understanding and reality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Knowledge as recollection implies that humans possess innate knowledge from past lives, which they can access through philosophical inquiry.
2. Plato argues that since the soul is immortal and has experienced various forms, it can remember these truths through reflection and dialectic processes.
3. This idea challenges conventional views of learning, suggesting that education should focus on helping individuals recover what they already know rather than filling them with new information.
4. The process of recollection is crucial for understanding higher levels of reality, as outlined in the analogy of the Divided Line, where knowledge becomes clearer as one ascends toward the realm of Forms.
5. Socratic dialogues often illustrate this concept by prompting individuals to recall their own knowledge through questioning and critical thinking.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of knowledge as recollection differ from traditional views of learning?
  • Knowledge as recollection posits that learning is not about acquiring new information but rather about remembering truths already known by the soul. In contrast, traditional views typically emphasize the accumulation of new facts or skills through experience and education. This perspective shifts the focus toward introspection and philosophical inquiry, suggesting that effective teaching should facilitate recall rather than merely dispense knowledge.
• Discuss how the theory of recollection relates to Plato's analogy of the Divided Line in understanding levels of knowledge and reality.
  • Plato's analogy of the Divided Line illustrates a hierarchy of understanding, where sensory perceptions represent lower levels of knowledge and the Forms signify higher levels. Knowledge as recollection supports this framework by asserting that true understanding comes from accessing these eternal Forms through reminiscence. As one ascends the Divided Line, they move from shadows and reflections (opinions) to direct comprehension of reality (knowledge), highlighting the importance of recollection in achieving clarity and insight.
• Evaluate the implications of knowledge as recollection for contemporary educational practices and philosophies.
  • The idea of knowledge as recollection challenges modern educational approaches by advocating for methods that emphasize critical thinking and self-discovery over rote memorization. This perspective encourages educators to create environments where students can engage in dialogue and reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of material by accessing their intrinsic knowledge. By promoting inquiry-based learning and encouraging students to draw on their prior experiences, contemporary education can align more closely with this Platonic view, ultimately leading to more meaningful and lasting knowledge.

Related terms

Anamnesis: The process of recollection or remembrance of knowledge that the soul has forgotten, emphasizing the notion that the soul has access to eternal truths.

Forms: Abstract, perfect entities or ideals that exist in a non-physical realm, which are known through the process of recollection in Plato's philosophy.

Epistemology: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge, relevant in discussions about how we acquire knowledge through recollection.