Defining Phantasm and Semblance in reference to Plato

 In the context of Plato's philosophy, "phantasm" and "semblance" refer to two different kinds of sensory experience.

A phantasm, also known as an "image," is a mental representation of something perceived through the senses. For example, the image of a tree that one perceives through sight, or the sound of a bird one hears. In Plato's theory of knowledge, phantasms are considered unreliable because they can be misleading and do not necessarily correspond to reality.

A semblance, on the other hand, is a mental representation that is derived from reason rather than the senses. It is an abstract concept or idea, rather than a direct perception of a physical object. For example, the idea of justice or truth. Plato considered semblances to be more reliable than phantasms because they are based on reason and not subject to the limitations and errors of sensory perception.

Overall, Plato's philosophy emphasizes the importance of reason and intellectual inquiry as a means of achieving true knowledge, rather than relying solely on sensory experience.