Plato on Arts
Among major classical philosophers Plato’s views on art seem to be extremely contradictory. Being an artist himself, who wrote decent pieces of literature in his dialogues, and started as a writer and dramatist himself, he used to denounce all main types of art such as drama, literature, fine arts and music, that is to say all that were taking after the real life. The philosopher argues that the imitative arts are deprived both moral and cognitive merit. Overall, there are two conceptual views in this respect which may be traced in his writing. According to the first one art is a mere imitation of the reality, whereas the second concept adheres to the position that even being a copy art is a form to express an improved reality, …show more content…
There are indeed numerous debates within scholars on this issue. Some commentator’s of Plato’s work believe that he truly condemned art, when there are those you support the idea that the interpretation of the above-mentioned kind is inaccurate. They emphasize that Plato’s notion of art is to be analyzed by taking into account the two opinions expressed in these dialogues, resulting in some specific perception of Arts by Plato (Karelis …show more content…
There are strong arguments backing the opposite to Plato’s viewpoint. Firstly, even in the most eloquent form of imitation art still results in something unseen. It is general knowledge, that the same object appears different for different viewers, equally as the beauty is in the eyes of a beholder. To that extent, by copying the existent materials and objects any painter cannot help contributing his life experience and individuality in shades and tones, in emphasizing certain details and leaving unnoticed other. In effect, by making some facet of the real world become an object of his creativity artist makes it possible for others to see the beauty of the surrounding, and have a fresh look on the common things that people keep unnoticing. Moreover, this imitation of the reality has tangible and productive implications as it invites the attention of the other, less perceptive to the aesthetics of life people, to observe the beauty and to strive to achieve it in their
Among major classical philosophers Plato’s views on art seem to be extremely contradictory. Being an artist himself, who wrote decent pieces of literature in his dialogues, and started as a writer and dramatist himself, he used to denounce all main types of art such as drama, literature, fine arts and music, that is to say all that were taking after the real life. The philosopher argues that the imitative arts are deprived both moral and cognitive merit. Overall, there are two conceptual views in this respect which may be traced in his writing. According to the first one art is a mere imitation of the reality, whereas the second concept adheres to the position that even being a copy art is a form to express an improved reality, …show more content…
There are indeed numerous debates within scholars on this issue. Some commentator’s of Plato’s work believe that he truly condemned art, when there are those you support the idea that the interpretation of the above-mentioned kind is inaccurate. They emphasize that Plato’s notion of art is to be analyzed by taking into account the two opinions expressed in these dialogues, resulting in some specific perception of Arts by Plato (Karelis …show more content…
There are strong arguments backing the opposite to Plato’s viewpoint. Firstly, even in the most eloquent form of imitation art still results in something unseen. It is general knowledge, that the same object appears different for different viewers, equally as the beauty is in the eyes of a beholder. To that extent, by copying the existent materials and objects any painter cannot help contributing his life experience and individuality in shades and tones, in emphasizing certain details and leaving unnoticed other. In effect, by making some facet of the real world become an object of his creativity artist makes it possible for others to see the beauty of the surrounding, and have a fresh look on the common things that people keep unnoticing. Moreover, this imitation of the reality has tangible and productive implications as it invites the attention of the other, less perceptive to the aesthetics of life people, to observe the beauty and to strive to achieve it in their