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Desiree (Ning) Low

AMT 254 Aesthetics


6th September 2014
Reading Response #1
The first in nature a bed, and I suppose wed say that a god makes it, or
does someone else make it? No one else, I suppose. The second is the work of
the carpenter. Yes. And the third is the one the painter makes. Isnt that so?
In the excerpt from Plato, the theory of mimesis, also known as imitation,
is defined as a form of art that deals with illusion. He discussed how all forms of
arts are imitative in nature. Taken the example of the bed in the dialogue, the
initial idea of the beds being is the ideal reality. Things are formed from ideas
before taking a physical form a reality. As a carpenter has the idea in his mind
to make the bed, it becomes a practical item, removing the bed away from its
reality. Thus, creating a first imitation. However, when a painter paints the bed
that was created by the carpenter, the painters painting of the bed becomes an
imitation from the carpenters imitation, taking the bed further away from its
original idea. Therefore, the painter has created an illusion. Similarly, Plato
believes that philosophy is the ideal truth, while suggesting that poetry is a form
of imitation. He disapproves it because it is far from the truth, and it is based in
falsehood. Furthermore, Plato thinks that poetry is not ethical, not philosophical,
and not pragmatic, which ultimately does not provide any form of educational
value for the future generations.
On the other hand, while Aristotle agrees with Plato that poetry is a form of
imitation, he believes that such imitations have forms of natural pleasures, which

has been born instinctively in men. Through such pleasures in imitation, it allows
the young child to learn, as he receives a form of pleasure while doing so.
Furthermore, as Aristotle discussed, such mimetic activity comes naturally to us
together with melody and rhythm. Therefore, by doing poetry, men were able
to further engage such instincts and be able to create more improvisations of
poetry as to what we have today.
Concerns/Questions:

It is not really easy to decipher what Plato and Aristotle had discussed
from the excerpts. I found this powerpoint slide that did help me
understand better on the theory of imitation:
http://www.slideshare.net/dilipbarad/platos-objections-to-poetry-andaristotles-answers

Notes:
Three classic themes/definitions of art (pg.9):
Mimesis imitation
Expression
Form
Issue of aesthetics:
Perception brings a step further that it brings aesthetic (physical) things
into your own processes and making sense of what the art might mean
Greek: Techn Skilled making; involving action
Latin: Ars, artis Similar meaning to Techn; making
Platos excerpt (pg. 142 148):
Grew in the context of poetry In which most poets, he believed, is more
negative as to positive
Plato believes that educating the future generation should be good, and
thus, taking away any poems that hints at bad, that are not true and
deceitful
Problems on Poetry/Theatre/Visual Imitation (Censorship):
(pg. 188) : The fear of death Would not be brave warriors, fighters
(pg. 189) : Tragedy The form of imitation/representation in theatre

(pg. 192) : Visual imitation

Platos Concept of the Universe


The Demiurge (Creator)
The Forms or Ideas (either abstract concepts or perfect models of things)
The Receptacle (The physical universe, which imitates the forms, but
never perfectly)
Aristotles excerpt:
Imitation is natural Gives pleasure, is a way to learn
Art value lies in the fact that we can learn from it, and it evokes emotion in
a positive way
Greek artist (sculptors), actually strove to create work that represent the ideal
the perfect beauty
The ideal: Greek statue of the god Hermes holding the infant Dionysos
(god of parties, drinks and theatre)

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