Abstract

The subject of my address is a presentation of the crucial threads of Plato’s theory of Ideas. Accordingly, this proposal conjoins topics of epistemology and ontology, but foremost allows us to consider the issue of interconnection between mathematics and ontology. I will present Plato’s conception of measure-Idea, which has crucial significance for understanding the status of being of Ideas. The face of Plato’s teachings about Ideas that will also be analyzed is linked with his “unwritten doctrine”. This theory refers mainly to teaching about numbers and ideal figures in addition to tutelage about principles of being, the One and the Infinite Dyad. It will let us depict in a precise way the very essence of Plato’s understanding of mathematics and explain the status of being which he attributed to mathematical objects. It will relate to critique of the interpretative stand declaring that in Plato’s philosophy we deal with so-called “two worlds” theory. Epistemological topics will also be given much attention. I consider my address as an invitation to discussion about the contemporary understanding of Plato’s philosophy, including the part of it that is accepted in many current versions of mathematical Platonism.