We have to answer some basic questions when we study theory of literature. ... I think this was a productive and easy way to try and get readers to easily identify works as literary. ... Ancient Greek thought held that poetry, drama, and other forms of fine art were imitations of reality, a reality that could be actual or potential. Indeed, their phrase for what we think of as "fine art" was "imitative arts", and great importance was attached to poetry as an integral part of the Greek education. ... How is it being imitated, is the imitation a straight copy, a distortion o...

• Word Count: 5585
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Socrates is known as one of the greatest philosophers of all time, but he never actually wrote any of his thoughts down on paper. Most of what we know about him comes from the writings of Plato, who was one of his students/followers. ... The origin of Socratic irony can be traced back to when the Oracle of Delphi told a friend of Socrates that no man was wiser than Socrates. ... Paula Gottlieb argued in her response to Vlastos' article that she did not really think Plato changed the meaning of irony; it was more a result of the fact that Plato had two different intended audiences. ... Thi...

• Word Count: 2531
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Socrates agrees with this notion by his sheer will to follow the oracle's tidings, even if it ultimately means his death. ... He goes on to explain this idea by making an example of the sun: "For instance, the sun appears a good across, even though we are convinced that it is bigger than the inhabited world."" ... Once they are brought to the inquizzitive musings of Socrates, the myth of their knowledge in what they do as well as the confidence in themselves as the people they are seems to crumble, and the way we see each character is ultimately changed. ... Through P...

• Word Count: 1699
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

As one reads the book, his or her perspective on existence would change as he or she goes through the philosophies of different philosophers. ... The mystery of the weird messages makes the reader think of what those messages might mean keeping him or her more entertained. ... Gaarder's book explains to the readers the importance of asking these types of questions and that they shouldn't just be left unanswered even though it takes a lifetime answering them. ... All of the philosopher's "projects " discussed in the book became a cornerstone of the different sciences we have to...

• Word Count: 771
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Numerous philosophers have advocated that the future of the human race does not lie in outside of mankind's grasp in the hands of some obscure deity, but in the willingness of people to change their behavior and be accountable for their inadequacies. ... Socrates believes such anxiety concerning what others will think is not only foolish, but inherently dangerous to the prosperity of any nation-state, "We should not then think so much of what the majority will say about us, but what he will say who understands justice and injustice, the one, that is, and the truth itself. ... As Daniel ...

• Word Count: 2901
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Since human beings can not exist without a social system, which can not function without politics, it proves Plato's claim that human beings are political animals. ... Plato has noted that human nature will always be the same although tested by time and change. ... The need for belonging and relevance of political involvement remain the same even though the world is completely different from what it was. ... While Socrates definition of justice remains bound to human virtue and soul, his arguments clearly indicate how, as human beings, we share common behavior. ... The need to survive a...

• Word Count: 1092
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"7 However motion or change in one thing, is caused by motion or change in another thing that affects it. To end the series of causes we must perceive that motion or change must originate in an initial self-moved mover. Plato believed this mover to be the source of change in motion in all that has ever been. ... Copleston argued from Plato that also mere existence can be argued from a said cause, and the argument from contingence stems from this idea. ... 'The Forms could never be encountered in this world, since they are permanent and unchangeable concepts- justice, truth, beauty an...

• Word Count: 2979
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The particular element of each beauty comes from the emotions, and as we each have our own particular emotions, so we have our beauty. ... I have chosen Plato, Nietzsche and Ruskin to illustrate how I understand aesthetics. ... My view of what Plato is saying is that he is emphasizing that beauty can be seen in all things and that beauty is universal and the same. ... When we talk about Romanticism the Movement, we aren't using the root word "romance" in the sense of hearts and flowers or infatuation. Instead, we use "romance" in the sense of glorification. ...

• Word Count: 2825
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate