Plato's The Republic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Plato's The Republic - Essay Example At the very onset, Socrates expounds on the evils of imitative art, which is "thrice removed from the truth". He sets out to prove his point by saying that anything with a common name is believed to correspond with the same ides. He elaborates using an example - there are plenty of beds and tables but the idea behind the use of the same belongs to one only. It is the same person who makes "not only vessels of every kind, but plants and animals, himself and all other things" he is the maker. It may be possible for anyone to do the same by holding up a mirror, but that would merely be appearances. Thus in the same way a painter is a mere "creator of appearances". Getting back to the example there are three artisans who make it - one is God, who is and always will be the primary source for every conceivable idea, the carpenter who makes the bed for practical use and finally the painter who merely imitates. Therefore he serves no discernible purpose. Socrates says the imitator is always far from the truth. He has but a smattering of knowledge which he parades as the truth and simple folks, who know no better, accept it at face value. Poets are usually thought of as veritable founts of knowledge. Homer, the legendary poet for instance is believed to be knowledgeable man, able administrator and an astute observer of human nature. But if that been the case surely he would have been at the forefront of the events in his day instead of relegating himself to the background Thus one must beware of poetry because it amounts to nothing when stripped of its colors and insidious charm. Thus in a realm where truth has been elevated to the highest possible peak, there is no place for art which is so far removed from truth. Its banishment from the ideal society may however be revoked if it can prove to have its use in upholding truth, morality and virtue instead of detracting from it. PLATO'S VIEWS ON CENSORSHIP Plato through his speaker waxes eloquent on the need for censorship in art. Not only are the artists negligent with regard to truth but they contribute to moral decay as well. These imitators have no knowledge of what is good, bad or truly beautiful; they merely portray what they perceive as the real thing. The common man is carried away by the lure and charm of the arts and has no way or means of piercing this faade. Socrates asserts that the better part of the soul is the one which seeks refuge in rationale. Poetry meanwhile appeals to the baser instincts in man. In the face of calamity most people in the grip of reason would attempt to keep calm, without indulging in wasteful and destructive passions. However in poetry, the protagonist would wallow in despair, bewailing his fate in lengthy oration. The audience will get carried away and forget themselves in the process without realizing that "from the evil of other men something of evil is communicated to themselves." Thus it is imperative that, art which is flippant, morally licentious or just plain ridiculous be firmly uprooted from society before it allows the beast in man to run wild resulting in moral collapse and social ruin. THE WRITER'S VIEW ON THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF ART While Plato's views on the role of art in the republic are convincing and partly

How to Live Our Lives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How to Live Our Lives - Essay Example In short, bear in mind that everything in this world is connected no matter how distant they may seem to be. And this life that we call, is in fact just a journey, probably a way to be better so make the most of each day to become better. Thich Nhat Hanh talked about karma, the process of living and dying. So it is a given that eventually, all will die. This is the natural order of things that we need to accept and need not to get depressed permanently. True, as human beings, we feel sorrow. They say, don’t make life complicated because the path on how to live a life is already spelled out. First, think that everything is connected and that death is part of life. Accept that all will eventually die and that we do not have to be grievously depressed on it. Instead, spend more time to be happy. But to be happy, we have to be healthy within our body and environment. So eat right and live the kind of life that will make you happy. We like to eat fast foods and drink soda. We reduced play to video games and no longer exercise. If we want to live a happy life, it is essential that we have first to be healthy. And to be healthy meant eating right and exercising. Eating right does not even mean eating less delicious foods. In fact it is eating the good foods such as fruits and vegetables. This is illustrated by Michael Pollan in his book The Omnivore’s dilemma: a natural history of four meals where he described that the source of our food is becoming a factory and is no longer grown the way it used to be. Worst, industrial farm factory and the use of GMOs are even packaged to be a better food source than organic farming (Pollan 15). So do not be surprised if many of us are getting fatter and sicker because many of us are lead to believe that the GMO foods are better than the natural food. And being