The Metaphysical Thoughts Of Plato In Formal Linguistics [2]

Russell (1961: 137):

Here [in the last book of the Republic] Plato explains that, whenever a number of individuals have the same name, they also have a common 'idea' or 'form'.  For instance, though there are many beds, there is only one 'idea' or 'form' of a bed.  Just as reflection of a bed in a mirror is only apparent and not 'real', so the various particular beds are unreal, being only copies of the 'idea', which is the one real bed, and is made by God.  Of this one bed, made by God, there can be knowledge, but in respect of the many beds made by carpenters there can be only opinion.  The philosopher, as such, will be interested only in the one ideal bed, not in the many beds found in the sensible world. He will have a certain indifference to ordinary mundane affairs…

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In Chomskyan Formal Linguistics, the metaphysical part of Plato's theory of ideas/forms can be related to the theoretical notions of Competence and Performance.  Rewording the above yields the following characterisation of the concerns of a Chomskyan Formal linguist:

Of Competence, there can be knowledge, but in respect of Performance there can be only opinion. The linguist, as such, will be interested only in Competence, not in the many Performances found in the sensible world. He will have a certain indifference to ordinary mundane affairs.