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PLATO: Basic Concepts I

PLATO: Basic Concepts I. Plato’s Republic is a search for the “form” of JUSTICE mimesis: “imitation” [ subject of both Book III & Book X. ] What does he think mimesis is? Do you agree?

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PLATO: Basic Concepts I

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  1. PLATO: Basic Concepts I Plato’s Republic is a search for the “form” of JUSTICE • mimesis: “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”

  2. PLATO: Basic Concepts II • arete: "virtue" -- mostly Book III • Greek notion of "virtue" implies being good AT something • Plato'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

  3. PLATO: Basic Concepts III • form: Book X • How 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"

  4. The 4 levels of Plato's World View [metaphysics & epistemology] What we “know” How we “know” What kind of “knowing” FORMS [abstraction] KNOWLEDGE HYPOTHESES [math objects] UNDERSTANDING VISIBLE THINGS [physical objects] BELIEF or OPINION IMAGES [image/reflections] PERCEPTION or IMAGINING

  5. 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…

  6. 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?

  7. 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.

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