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A 5 page research paper that examines the attitudes of Plato and Aristotle toward art. The writer argues that while they both made the fundamental assumption that art is a form of mimesis, the imitative function that is inherent in all forms of art provoked Plato's disdain, but provoked Aristotle's curiosity. An examination of their views demonstrates that Aristotle carried his philosophy of art beyond the concepts put forth by Plato. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khartmim.rtf
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the nature and function of art. Since Aristotle was one of Platos students, it is natural that they should agree on a principal point concerning art. They both made the
fundamental assumption that art is a form of mimesis. However, on every other point they profoundly disagree. The imitative function that is inherent in all forms of art provoked Platos
disdain, but provoked Aristotles curiosity. An examination of their views demonstrates that Aristotle carried his philosophy of art beyond the concepts put forth by Plato. It is well known that
no philosopher has ever distrusted art more deeply than Plato (Allen, 2002). Plato mentions art frequently in his writing. In the Republic, Laws, Ion, Phaedrus, Symposium and Apology, he warns
against the wiles and evils of art, while also periodically extolling its virtues. Plato accords art and artists definitive roles to play in society. He goes so far in the
Republic as to intimate that one of the highest goals of education is to teach the love of beauty (Allen, 2002). This is a point that Plato develops in the
Republic. According to Allen (2002), it is due to his remarks in the Republic that Plato gains his reputation for being the "scolding father of artistic censorship" (p. 20).
However, Allen also makes the point that Platos attitude was at least partially due to his respect and fear of the powers of art over human behavior. He felt that
artists imitate reality and that they do so with enough skill to convince people that their art is an accurate representation of reality. Therefore, he felt that it was imperative
to the welfare of society that such mimicry of reality should portray virtue. Therefore, Plato argued that "all artists and craftsmen" should be prevented from portraying "bad character, ill-discipline, meanness,
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