What is Plato's 'theory of recollection'?

Plato's 'theory of recollection' goes back to an idea he elaborates in his dialogue the 'Meno'. Essentially, Plato believed that our soul had a pre-existing state where it enjoyed knowledge of the forms. However, in its present state of being embodied it loses such knowledge, and all learning refers to the process of recollecting such knowledge.

SL
Answered by Sebastian L. Philosophy and Ethics tutor

9243 Views

See similar Philosophy and Ethics A Level tutors

Related Philosophy and Ethics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Isn't Kant's philosophy of ethics really unrealistic?


Explain Joseph Fletcher’s Approach to Ethics


Explain some of the different forms of utilitarianism


Evaluate the claim that we are never free to make our own decisions.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning