Week 2: Questions ON PLATO

Aesthetics / Critical Theory (see The Republic Book X discussed in the lectures):

1. In what sense may Plato's views on literature be described as partly mimetic?
   1. Of what, according to Plato, is poetry an imitation? 
   2. What distinction does Plato draw between poetry and the visual arts (e.g. a painting)?
   3. What distinction does Plato draw between comedy and tragedy?
   4. Why in this regard is Plato dissatisfied with literature by contrast to philosophy?
2. In what sense may Plato's views on literature also be described as partly pragmatic?
   1. Why does Plato attack tragedy in particular?
   2. Why does Plato attack comedy in particular?
   3. Why does Plato fear the representation in poetry of undesirable behaviour?
3. On what two grounds does Plato wish to banish poets from his ideal state?
4. What does Plato invite others to do on behalf of poetry (i.e. literature)?

Linking Plato's Aesthetics to Other Aspects of his Worldview (for the adventurous):

Plato's views on what art represents are related to his views in The Republic (and elsewhere) on:

1. Epistemology (what we can know):
   1. Summarise Plato’s parable of the Cave.
   2. What are the two kinds of empirical knowledge (that afforded by the physical senses) and the two kinds of rational knowledge (that afforded by the critical use of one’s reasoning) mentioned by Plato?
   3. Is objective knowledge possible, according to Plato?  If so, which form of knowledge does Plato rank higher: empirical knowledge or rational knowledge?  Why?
2. Metaphysics (what there is):
   1. How does Plato conceptualise the nature of reality?
   2. What is the fundamental principle of his conception of the universe?
   3. What do you understand by the term 'idealism'?  In what sense is Plato an idealist?
3. How are Plato's views on these issues related to his views on what art represents?

Plato's views on the impact which art has on its audience are related to his views in The Republic on:

1. Ethics (what is right):
   1. Is there, according to Plato, an absolute right and an absolute wrong? 
   2. Can we know the difference between them?  If so, how?
2. Social and Political Philosophy (what kind of community should we live in):
   1. What analogy does Plato draw between the human being and the state (or republic)?
   2. What form should the ideal state (or republic) take?
3. Philosophical Anthropology (who we are):
   1. How does Plato conceptualise human identity?
4. How are Plato's views on these issues related to his views on the impact which art has on its audience?