History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 033 - Last Judgments - Plato, Poetry and Myth
33 snips
May 16, 2011 AI Snips
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Plato's Critique of Poetry
- Plato's critique of poets goes beyond Xenophanes, advocating censorship in his Republic.
- He targets specific verses, especially misrepresentations of gods and overly emotional heroes.
Plato's Use of Poetry
- Plato's criticism of poetry is puzzling, given his frequent allusions to poets like Homer and Hesiod.
- His use of poetic material is complex, sometimes disapproving, sometimes approving, but often appropriating it for his own philosophy.
Plato's Own Myths
- Despite criticizing poets' myths, Plato creates his own, like those in the Phaedo, Gorgias, and Republic.
- This raises questions about his intentions: was it artistic competition or something more?