Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, expounded his views on the role of artists and the arts in his seminal work, “The Republic.” In this dialogue, Plato presents his ideal state, a utopian society governed by philosopher-kings and based on principles of justice, virtue, and harmony. Central to Plato’s vision is the exclusion of artists from this ideal state, a decision rooted in his philosophical beliefs and concerns about the potential influence of art on individuals and society. Let’s delve into Plato’s reasons for keeping artists away from the ideal state.
Mimesis and Illusion
Plato was critical of art, particularly poetry and drama, for its reliance on mimesis, or imitation, of the physical world. He believed that art creates mere copies or illusions of reality, rather than providing genuine knowledge or insight into the Forms, which are eternal and immutable concepts that represent the ultimate truth. Plato argued that the arts, by their very nature of imitation, are deceptive and lead individuals away from the pursuit of truth and virtue.
Example: In “The Republic,” Plato likens artists to craftsmen who produce inferior copies of ideal forms, thus detracting from the pursuit of true knowledge and virtue.
Emotional Influence
Plato was concerned about the emotional influence of art on individuals, believing that it could incite irrational emotions and disrupt the harmony of the soul. He argued that poetry and drama, with their depictions of passion, tragedy, and indulgence in emotions, could arouse unhealthy desires and lead individuals astray from the path of reason and self-control. Plato feared that exposure to such emotional influences could corrupt the moral character of citizens and undermine the stability of the ideal state.
Example: Plato warned against the dangers of tragic poetry, which he believed could evoke pity and fear in audiences, leading to irrational and disruptive emotions.
Influence on Education and Culture
Plato viewed education as crucial for shaping the moral character and values of citizens in the ideal state. He argued that the arts, with their potential to mislead and corrupt, had no place in the educational curriculum of the ideal state. Plato believed that exposing young minds to art could hinder their moral and intellectual development, leading to a society devoid of true virtue and wisdom. He advocated for a rigorous educational program focused on the study of philosophy, mathematics, and dialectic, which he considered essential for cultivating the rational and virtuous citizenry.
Example: Plato proposed a system of censorship in “The Republic,” wherein certain types of art deemed harmful or morally corrupting would be banned from the ideal state.
Ideal Forms vs. Imagination
Plato’s exclusion of artists from the ideal state reflects his broader philosophical distinction between the world of appearances and the realm of ideal Forms. He believed that art, by its nature of imitation and reliance on sensory perception, distracts individuals from the contemplation of the Forms and the pursuit of ultimate truth and goodness. Plato argued that true knowledge could only be attained through rational inquiry and philosophical reflection, rather than through the imagination and sensory experience invoked by art.
In conclusion, Plato’s desire to keep artists away from the ideal state stems from his philosophical beliefs about the deceptive nature of art, its potential to incite irrational emotions, its influence on education and culture, and its divergence from the pursuit of true knowledge and virtue. While Plato’s views on art may seem restrictive and authoritarian to modern sensibilities, they reflect his profound concerns about the moral and intellectual well-being of individuals and society in the pursuit of an ideal state governed by justice, virtue, and harmony.
