Plato: Beauty is an "Idea"
Both Plato and Aristotle did not conceptualize a theory regarding with art, however, some parts of their philosophy are in relation with art and aesthetics. For instance, the art's idea of form and content were pioneered by Plato and Aristotle, especially in the talk of imitation—the act of copying or mimicking. Plato and Aristotle quite differ from each other. One of the many things that set them apart is Plato's belief that imitation's major concern should be in line with the "Ideal Form" or the ones that promote wisdom and the truth. That is due to the fact that Plato believes that the "Ideal Form" puts the entire universe in total equilibrium.
Hostility to Art
Plato was a very radical person; he was more onto rational thought than just plain emotions. That's why when he conceptualized the "ideal society", which he mentioned in his book "The Republic", he banned artworks and looked down on the artists simply because works of art draws emotions. According to Plato, emotions would only drive the people away from the truth and it would deprive them of rational thinking. In addition, Plato believed that the harmony in the cosmos is run by mathematical principles, which is directly related to rational thought. But, by implying that imitation should only deal with the ideal ones, Plato also paved the way to the significant models in the talk of art and a firm pedestal that holds together the western thought of the art's role—to imitate nature.
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