PLATO: Basic Concepts I

Plato’s Republic is a search for the “form” of JUSTICEmimesis: “imitation” [subject of both Book III & Book X. ]

What does he think mimesis is? Do you agree?He believes that there is a problem with imitating the “wrong kind” of character -- this has a bad effect on us.

This belief is tied to his notions of “virtue” and “justice”

PLATO: Basic Concepts II

arete: "virtue" -- mostly Book III

Greek notion of "virtue" implies being good AT somethingPlato's society is "just" only when all parts of society do that which they are "good at“dike: justice - the Greek word implies the notion of path or way

PLATO: Basic Concepts III

form: Book XHow do you know this is a chair?

A book? A good thing?

Plato believed that everything in the physical world was a copy of an abstract, timeless pattern for things of that sort.

This pattern or ideal was what he called a "form"

The 4 levels of Plato's World View [metaphysics & epistemology]

What we “know” How we “know” What kind of “knowing”

FORMS [abstraction] KNOWLEDGEHYPOTHESES [math objects] UNDERSTANDINGVISIBLE THINGS [physical objects] BELIEF or

OPINIONIMAGES [image/reflections] PERCEPTION

or IMAGINING

To think about …

Where does Plato place art?

Why is art “three times removed from the throne of truth”? Why is Plato so determined to censor art? [Book III]Why does he ban poets from the Republic? [Book X]sophists - can't know truth, so just learn to persuade people [the art of rhetoric]poets - were claiming knowledge. Plato asks Homer what state he has ruled etc…

Plato Reading Questions:

Selection from BOOK III

discussion of what is appropriate for the education of children.

What argument does he give for censorship?How does he think art affects us? Do you agree?

Selection from BOOK X

relationship of art and truth.Why does Plato think art is far from "truth"?What is he assuming about the nature of art?Do you agree?

Reminders for Plato & Aristotle:

Both are concerned with the effect that art has on us.Each makes recommendations about the form art should take in order to fulfill its proper function.They differ more on the function than the form.