Plato's Mimesis Conclusion Thus, just as "motion and change" define nature, mimesis, more than anything else, is the central characteristic feature of poetry. ... In Book II of The Republic, Plato begins a discussion of poetry which is concerned with gods and heroes. ... Imitation proper appears in the Republic in Book III, where Plato begins to consider the more complicated case of poetry concerning men. ... Plato therefore seems to cover the case of his own dialogues, where he speaks through the mouths of Socrates, Adeimantus and Glaucon. ... That imitation has harmful effe...

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

Self-Fulfillment as the End Good: Ortega y Gasset, Maslow, Marx and Plato Throughout history philosophers from around the world have taken up the challenge of interpreting life and the transcendental aspects that it involves. ... For Plato, the good life was that in which through rational analysis and thought an individual dedicated his life to observing and understanding the highest principle, which he called "the Good". ... There are several philosophers whom I had similar views to: Jose Ortega y Gasset, Karl Marx, Abraham Maslow, and to a lesser extent Plato. ... Then I will elevate th...

• Word Count: 4292
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

When thoughts of "justice" were pondered in Ancient Greece, early students of Socrates accepted actions that were to the benefit of friends and detriment of enemies as the standard definition of justice (Plato I.332b). ... From Machiavelli's perspective, the citizens in a republic must overcome the notion that ingratitude is always unjust and begin seeing justice of the ingratitude as that which will help maintain freedom. ...

• Word Count: 2733
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Most notable among the Greek philosophers who inspired Machiavelli was Plato. In particular, Machiavelli took interest in Plato's concept of just rulers who ruled by moral virtue. ... The ruler, therefore, is justified in doing whatever is necessary to maintain the country, even if it is unjust. On the other hand, Plato argues a ruler can never be unjust. ... Virtu is characterized by its flexibility because the ruler is given the prerogative to mold it in consonance to a given situation whereas "virtue" is more rigid, as Plato would required the just ruler to behave the same all the...

• Word Count: 4508
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate