Plato's Theory of Forms, in case you are not familiar with it, states that everything is an imperfect copy of the Form associated with it. The Forms are eternal and unchaning. Lets look at Plato's Theory of Forms in relation to genetics and evolution. first we will have to assume the theory of forms is correct. This is my first thought experiment (for lack of a better word) but I am ofcourse only a highschooler but I am still proud of it.
Your genetics make you what you are (at least physicaly). So could it be said that genes are a physical manifestation of the forms or the forms themselves? I highly doubt it because if they were then they would have to be perfect just like the forms and if they were perfect like the forms then people would then be perfect copies of the form. That contradicts what Plato said about all things being imperfect copies of the forms
Turn that around for a second. Since obvoisly people are not perfect as evidenced by genetic mutations then the genes themselves are not perfect. If the genes are not perfect then they can not be physical manifestations or the forms themselves because the forms are supposed to be perfect. This is another reason to doubt that genes could be the forms or a manifestation of the forms.
Another problem arises with the thought that genetics maybe the forms or manifestations of them. What about things that don't have genes like rocks? What of them?
Lets just take the veiw that the Forms exist in a world seperate from the physical world. What is the point of genetics then? Genetics just seems to be in direct contradiction wit the Theroy of Forms.
Evolution seems to be a direct contradiction of Plato's Theory of Forms. I mean the forms are supposed to be unchaning so how could what represents them change also? Maybe it could be said that the changes we see in organisms as a result of their imperfections being expotentialy piled up over the many years and not the form itself changin but that is still a stretch so for now now I will also be lead to the conclusion that evolution is contradictory with the Theory of Forms.
Plato's Theory of Form are mutualy exclusive to the existence of genes and evolution.
I would appriciate any thoughts on this. If you disagree with me then I would love to here your opinions also.
The Stoica: A Society of Philosophy
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