Aristote’s theory of perception and his platonic background (Theaetetus and Philebus) DOI: 10.2436/20.3001.01.14

Abstract

It is a well known fact that Aristotle’s theory of sense-perception (as well as his
theory of knowledge in general) draws largely on patterns that are directly derived from Plato’s dialogues. The aim of this paper is to show some of the most decisive changes of interpretation these Platonic patterns undergo in the context of Aristotle’s philosophy. The analysis centers on three main points: the attribution of truth and falsity to sensations, the metaphor of the seal and the wax, and the notion of phantasia.


Key words: Aristotle; Plato; sense-perception; theory of knowledge.