What is the difference between “beds in the world” and “the idea of a bed?” Where does “art” fit into his hierarchical scheme of reality? Plato criticizes art for being “deceptive.” How does art deceive us, according to Plato? Do you agree with this criticism?
The difference between “beds in the world” and “the idea of a bed” is that the idea of a bed is what makes it real because they all have their own distinguishable characteristics, with the understanding that not every bed is the same and that everyone has their own thoughts on what a bed is. Next, is a bed in the real world; beds in the real world is the concept of a bed and is essentially to an object that does everything a bed does without being an actual bed, by actual bed I mean what pops into our head when we think of a bed. These are from Plato’s The Republic: Book X where he discusses the fact that in life there are three artists; “God, the maker, and the artist” (Plato). In this he claims that God is the creator who determines the original idea of what an object will be. The maker, then makes an imitation of God’s creation for use “in accordance with the idea,”(Plato), they are not the original creators of the idea. As for artists they record and and paint an object in accordance with their perspective creating an illusion solely off of the exterior of the object changing the look of God’s original idea of what an object is. This results in people all over the world having different ideas of what a bed is.
Plato’s view of art is that its only purpose is to be deceptive and that it does no good for humanity since it is misleading with no truth. He states that “the painter too is… just such another creator of appearances…”(Plato), to me this means that his view of the painter is that they only alter the view of an object is, based on the perspective. He also implies that art only exists to further ruin God’s intentions of objects in a despicable attempt to change others views of an object. Even pushing the idea to the extent that art was also created to ruin the ideas of beauty and perfection. I personally disagree with Plato and believe that art exists to focus and enhance beauty in all things. When looking at art one is able to see objects from other’s perspectives and see the beauty that may have been otherwise over looked. Although, in recent times I do not understand art and think that some of it exists only to push the boundaries of what people consider art and the ideals of beauty.
Word count: 470 source: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.11.x.html
Lauren's blog :) 