What is real? Am I really alive? Is this really reality? These are just some of the questions metaphysics attempts to answer, as metaphysics is defined as "the branch of philosophy investigating what is really real" (Mitchell 24). Plato and Aristotle both had brilliant minds each in their own rights. They attempted to answer the questions of metaphysics, although, they both had different concepts of reality, this despite the fact that Aristotle studied under the tutelage of Plato. Plato believed we "live in ignorance" (Mitchell 32). Plato believed the world was divided into " the intelligible world of forms, and the perceptual world we see around us" ("Plato....Thinkers"). Aristotle believed in these forms, but felt there was "only one world, and the forms existed within it" (Cohen).
Plato's theory is sometimes referred to as "idealism" ("Plato....Thinkers"). Idealism is the belief that our world represents another world of perfect forms, or ideas (Mitchell 65). He believed the forms our world represented were "perfect and unchanging" ("Plato....Thinkers"). Every object we look at, from triangles to statues, in our world is just a replica of the real, perfect thing. He believed our senses deceived us, and could not be trusted (Fernie). Our senses lead us to believe that our world is real and perfect, when in fact it is not. Ultimately, he believed our reality should be regarded as spiritual, not physical (Fernie).
Aristotle's theory of metaphysics believes in these same forms as Plato, however, he believes they exist in only one realm, our realm (Cohen). He believes that form is simply a material at work (Cohen). Forms are within the objects we see; they give shape to reality. He believed form is the primary and casual ...