Plato, one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece, proposed in his seminal work The Republic the concept of an ideal state — a perfectly just society governed by philosopher-kings. In this ideal state, Plato famously suggests that poets and artists should be kept away or at least heavily censored. This idea has sparked much debate and criticism, especially from those who view art as essential to society. To understand why Plato takes such a strong stance against artists in the ideal state, we need to explore his philosophy in detail, particularly his views on reality, knowledge, morality, and education.
1. Plato’s Theory of Forms and Reality
Plato’s metaphysical theory — the Theory of Forms (Ideas) — is fundamental to understanding his distrust of artists. According to Plato:
- Reality consists of two levels:
- World of Forms: The perfect, unchanging, and eternal world where ideal “forms” of all things exist — such as the perfect form of beauty, justice, or a chair.
- World of Appearances: The material world we perceive through our senses, which is only a shadow or imitation of the real world of Forms.
For example, a physical chair is just an imitation of the ideal “Form” of a chair.
Artists, according to Plato, create imitations of imitations. They do not even represent reality (Forms) directly, but only create images of the physical things that are themselves imperfect copies of the Forms. Thus, artists are twice removed from the truth. This makes art misleading and illusory.
2. Art is Based on Emotion, Not Reason
Plato believes that the soul has three parts:
- Rational (reasoning)
- Spirited (will/emotion)
- Appetitive (desires)
In the ideal state, the rational part should govern the soul, just as philosopher-kings, who are guided by reason, should govern society.
Art, especially poetry and drama, appeals primarily to the emotional and desirous parts of the soul, which can overpower reason. For example, tragic plays often evoke pity, fear, and anger. Plato worries that by stimulating these emotions, art can destabilize the soul and undermine rational control. This would lead citizens away from reason and justice — the foundation of Plato’s ideal state.
3. Moral and Educational Concerns
Education in Plato’s Republic is aimed at nurturing a just soul and society. Plato emphasizes moral and intellectual development. However, he sees most art — particularly Greek poetry like that of Homer and Hesiod — as morally corrupting.
- Gods are depicted as immoral: In Greek epics, gods are shown lying, cheating, stealing, and engaging in immoral acts. Plato believes that such stories give the wrong moral lessons to the youth and should not be part of education.
- Heroes often show negative traits: Characters like Achilles (from Homer’s Iliad) may be brave, but they are also angry, vengeful, and selfish. Plato fears that admiration for such flawed heroes will teach citizens the wrong values.
Therefore, Plato recommends censorship of such literature and art. Only works that portray morally sound and rational behavior should be allowed in the ideal state.
4. Artists Lack True Knowledge
Plato distinguishes between three types of people:
- The wise (philosophers): They have knowledge of the Forms and hence can understand true reality.
- The practical (craftsmen, rulers): They deal with the physical world based on reason and skill.
- The imitators (artists): They merely produce appearances and illusions without true understanding.
He gives the example of a painter who paints a bed. This painter does not know what the Form of a bed is (as a philosopher might), nor does he know how to make a bed (as a carpenter does). He just paints a picture of a bed — a superficial appearance. So, Plato argues, the artist is ignorant and should not be entrusted with shaping the minds of citizens.
5. Political Stability and Order
Plato’s ideal state is built on a strict hierarchical order and clear division of labor:
- Philosopher-kings rule,
- Warriors protect,
- Producers (farmers, craftsmen) provide.
Artists do not have a clear place in this structure. Moreover, their work may stir emotions and challenge the political and moral order through satire, drama, or critique. This makes art potentially subversive and dangerous in Plato’s eyes. He believes that too much emotional stimulation and questioning of authority may lead to disorder and instability.
6. Exceptions and Clarifications
It is important to note that Plato does not reject all art entirely. He is willing to accept art that meets certain conditions:
- Art that promotes reason, virtue, and justice is allowed.
- Art that is truthful and educative can be useful in developing moral character.
- He praises music and gymnastics as part of the education of the guardians, provided they are used properly to balance the soul.
So, his opposition is mainly towards imitative art (called mimesis) that distorts truth and morality.
7. Criticism of Plato’s Views
Plato’s ideas have been widely critiqued:
- Suppresses freedom of expression: Many modern thinkers argue that his censorship of art is authoritarian and goes against the idea of individual liberty.
- Underestimates the value of emotion: Emotions can inspire empathy, creativity, and moral reflection — all valuable for personal and social development.
- Art can question injustice: Artists often serve as a voice of the people, challenging injustice and promoting social change.
- Misjudges the complexity of art: Not all art is imitative or misleading; some works provoke critical thinking and promote philosophical insight.
Even Plato’s own student, Aristotle, strongly disagreed with him and defended art — especially tragedy — for its cathartic and educational value.
Conclusion
Plato wants to keep artists away from his ideal state because he believes that art is a mere imitation of reality, appeals to emotions over reason, promotes immoral behavior, and lacks true knowledge. In his vision of a just society, the focus must be on reason, truth, and moral education, which he thinks are undermined by most forms of art. While his views reflect a deep concern for the ethical development of individuals and the harmony of society, they also raise questions about freedom, creativity, and the role of art in shaping human values. In today’s context, Plato’s strict approach may seem too rigid, but it offers an important philosophical perspective on the power and responsibility of artistic expression.