The Divided Line

 

Segment	Type of knowledge	Type of object
DE	Philosophical understanding	Ideas (Forms), especially the Idea of the Good
CD	Mathematical reasoning, including theoretical science	Abstract mathematical objects, e.g. numbers, lines, curves
BC	Beliefs about physical things, including empirical science	Physical objects
AB	Opinions, illusions	Shadows and reflections of physical objects

Since Plato holds segment DE in the highest esteem, this suggests that, in Plato’s reasoning, a scientific theory becomes less true, less real, once it has been proven. This does not make any logical sense, since surely a theory that has been proven is much more refined and sophisticated than one which has not. A proven theory has evidence in the real world to back it up. Is Plato suggesting that the very formulation of a theory makes it real and perfect; and since the world is imperfect and material, the theory does not have to have evidence to back it up; the world might be so imperfect as to miss out that theory as a basis for its physics? That the theory is correct even though the universe does not act that way; the theory does not need empirical evidence because the universe is less perfect than the theory it should back up?