Plato's Ideas Were More Real Than Objects
An idea is a thought or plan. The Greek word named something far more substantial than a passing notion.
An idea is a thought, plan or mental impression. For Plato an *idea* was not in the mind at all: it was the perfect eternal form of a thing, of which physical objects were imperfect copies. A particular chair is a rough shadow of the idea of a chair, which exists independently and more truly. Greek *idein* means to see, so an idea was originally something looked upon — the same root as *video* and *wit*.
- A thought. *A good idea.*
- A plan. *I have an idea.*
- A Platonic form. *The idea of beauty.*
- Ideal — the related word. *An ideal.*
- Greek — *idein*, to see. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | idea | An idea. |
| Plural | ideas | Ideas. |
| Adjective | ideal | Ideal. |
| Noun | ideology | Ideology. |
| Greek | idea | A form. |
- She had a better idea.Thought.
- Plato's ideas were eternal forms.Philosophy.
- Idein means to see.Etymology.
The seeing family
- Idea — something looked upon
- Idol — an image, from the same Greek root
- Video — Latin for I see
- Wit — from a Germanic root meaning to know by seeing
- Vision and evident — both from Latin *videre*
Greek *idea*, a form or pattern, from *idein*, to see, through Latin.
What did idea mean to Plato?
A perfect eternal form existing independently of the mind. Physical objects were imperfect copies of it.
Are idea and idol related?
Yes. Both come from the Greek root meaning to see, one naming a mental form and one a visible image.