How does Aristotle differ from Plato in his

theory of imitation and what is the relation

between imitation and morality?
Aristotle differs with Plato on the pragmatic value of poetry. Plato as a dualist divides reality into two
world- world of ideas and world of senses. World of ideas has eternal and immutable patterns,
spiritual and abstract in their nature and all things of the sensory world is fashioned after and
imitation of it.

The poet has only the realm of appearance in front of him, so he imitates it and makes copies of
copies. Poetry in fact impairs reasoning by appealing to the inferior part of soul, the irrational,
emotional, cowardly part. Plato objects to poetry on the ground of its irrationality and inadequacy to
represent the truth of the idea. Aristotle does not see imitation as impairment of rational faculty, so
he does not find any fault in poetry, which imitate men in action. Poets for Aristotle take the form
from nature and reshapes it in a different matter or medium. Art is an improvement of nature and
poets give completion to nature where it is endeavoring to complete. Thus the poet is an imitator as
well as a creator. Unlike Plato whose main focus is establishment of perfect society, Aristotle wants
to improve the existing one. Plato finds poetry feeding passion so poetry is not ethical as it promotes
undesirable passions. Rather than shying away from poetry as Plato did, Aristotle embraces poetry
which evokes passion. Among different genres of literature he has emphasized tragedy as its
intricately constructed plot creates Cathartic effect on the audience.

Aristotle supposes that the extravagant representation of powerful emotion is beneficial to the
individuals providing opportunity for the cathartic release of unhealthy feelings rather than
discouraging their development. Having seen the outcome of the inherent flaw of tragic hero,
audiences, are less likely to commit similar acts of pride. Aristotle is inclined towards concrete,
practical, sensory appreciation of reality. Plato is inclined towards abstract, speculative, intellectual
appreciation of reality.

Morality is system of moral principle concerning right and wrong, good and bad behavior. The
relation between morality and imitation has been the bone of contention since the classical theorists
to the critics of modern age. Plato is a stern moralist who believes imitation perpetuates immorality.
Morality rests upon just soul and just soul is the one in which rational part governs the irrational part.
Since imitation only leads people away from truth, imitation is dangerous for the society. For Plato
ethical values that are governed by the idea of good are immutable and eternal and such ideas are
in metaphysical world and could not be found in imitation. So Plato alleges poetry of counterfeiting
and feigning through imitation. Aristotle however believes that imitation promotes morality. Tragedy
is highest form of imitation; it is imitation of action that is serious, complete and of certain magnitude.
Tragedy reminds mankind of their humanity that they are vulnerable but this realization do not
outstrip men of their ethical principles and laws. It rather reminds that actions should be guided by
values of society and past models of ethical actions. Imitation for Aristotle has very positive relation
with morality.

Boethius is more influenced by moral philosophy of Plato rather than theoretical work of Aristotle. He
asserts morality lies in disregarding trials and tribulations of life and temporal misfortune of life and
doing as suggested by reasoning. For Horace imitation is not immoral as it serves as subject matter
of poetry. Sir Philip Sydney views imitation strengthening morality. Other disciplines like history
records vagaries of fortune, which allows the innocent to suffer and vicious to prosper. But poetry
which imitates nature shows evil punished and good rewarded. So imitation not only imparts
pleasure by giving perfection where the nature lacks it also elevates morality. So for Sidney imitation
does not corrupt, but it uplifts the moral sense in humans. Critics differ radically in their concept of
relation between morality and imitation, their theories varies from uplifting views on morality to
remote idealism.

Compare and contrast the views of Plato and Aristotle on

the nature and function of poetry.
Aristotle was the disciple of Plato and was influenced by him a great deal. But he differed from
his guru in certain respects. Plato condemned poetry, Aristotle appreciated it. Plato set out to reorganize
human life; Aristotle to re-organise human knowledge. Plato was a transcendentalist, who arrived at his
principles through observation and analysis. Plata was an idealist, too.

He believed that the phenomenal world is but an objectification of the ideal world. The ideal world is real,
the phenomenal world is but a shadow of this ideal reality. It is, therefore, fleeting and unreal. Aristotle,
on the other hand, believed in the reality of the world of the senses. It is on the basis of the study and
observation of particular realities that general principles can be induced. Thus, Aristotle moves from the
real, to the ideal, from the particular to the general. His methods are inductive. In this respect, he stands
at the opposite pole from Plato.

Plato's language is poetic and charming, Aristotle's is dogmatic and telegraphic. There was more
originality in Plato than in Aristotle, but Aristotle is more comprehensive and systematic than Plato. Plato
used first the word 'imitation' in connection with poetry. But Plato considered imitation merely as
mimicry or a servile copy of nature. Aristotle's interpretation of it has a far-deeper significance. For
Aristotle, imitation was a creative force.

Plato likened poetry to painting. Aristotle likened it to music. Plato believed that poetry imitates only
the external superficial appearances, and that it is, therefore, twice removed from reality. On the other
hand, Aristotle believed that poetry imitates not only the externals, but also internal emotions
 and experiences. Plato regards that poetry imitates objects as usual, or better or worse than they are.
Poetry gives or traces possibility. It explores what ought to be.

Plato was critical of poetry on moral intellectual and emotional grounds. Aristotle has justified all the
claims of superiority of poetry on moral, intellectual and emotional grounds. Aristotle used the word
'katharsis' for the first time.

Plato regarded philosophy to be superior to poetry. Aristotle regarded poetry to be superior to

philosophy. Plato was of the view that poetry being a false imitation does not have power or scope to deal
with high philosophical matters. Aristotle, quite contrary to it, believed that poetry is the more
philosophical. It has immense power to deal with even philosophical matters.

Plato regarded emotions as useless for poetry. He advocated their repression. Aristotle, on the other
hand, regarded the emotion as of vital importance to poetic creation. For Aristotle, poetry was but a mere
emotional outlet.

As mentioned by Lasceles Abercrombie, "Aristotle had been Plato's pupil; but as his mind
matured, he became conscious of a deep cleavage between his conviction and his master's, and felt himself
called upon to protest against some of the characteristic conclusions and methods of the

Platonic philosophy Aristotle's mind liked to proceed from things to ideas, Plato's from ideas to
things. Aristotle had the scientific, Plato the metaphysical mind. Aristotle could never have stood beside
Plato as a literary artist. But it was Plato, the philosopher, who condemned poetry; and the mere fact that
he did so is typical of the way his philosophy regarded things. Things only important as the
representatives of ideas, he was quite prepared to say that a thing which was unnecessary or unworthy as
a representative of ideas ought not to exist. Poetry was a thing of this nature; Plato, therefore, proposed
that it should be abolished. But it was with a biologist's respect for the existence of thing
that Aristotle looked on poetry; for him, ideas were only important as the interpretation of things. It never
occurred to Aristotle to ask whether poetry ought or ought not to exist. It does exist, the questions his
philosophy asks are : In what manner and to what result does it exist? One might perhaps
say, Aristotle would no more think of asking whether poetry ought to exist or not, than whether a species
of animals ought to exist or not. At any rate, the conclusion he comes to is the exact opposite of Plato's
opinion, it is, that the function of poetry can be supremely beneficient. It may very well be that he started
with this opinion, and that to prove it against the great authority of Plato was his chief motive in
composing the Poetics."

Yet there are some resemblances between the two. These are on following points :

1. That poetry is an'imitative art'

2. That poetry arouses emotions.

3. That poetry gives pleasure, both as an imitation and as arousing the emotions through imitative
means.

4. That arousing of the emotions by poetry has an effect upon the whole personality of the spectator or
reader and on his emotional behaviour in real life.

5. That both considered poetry from a practical and utilitarian point of view.

Nevertheless, poetry got its right place through the hands of Aristotle, while it could not get the same
through the hands of Plato.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
 A. points of contrast between plato and Aristotle

1. the guru and guide 1. the disciple of plato

2. set out to reorganize 2. set out disciple of plato

human life knowledge.

3. an idealist an trans- 3. a realist

cendentalist

4. condemns poetry 4. appreciates poetry

5. deductive method 5. Inductive method

6. more of a philosopher 6. more of a scientist

7. poetic and charming 7. dogmatic and telegraphic

language language

8. imitation mere mimicry 8. imitation recreation

9. likened poetry to 9. likened poetry superior

painting

10. Philosophy superior to 10. Poetry superior to philo-

poetry sophy

11. Emotions useless for 11. Emotions useful and of

poetry vital importance for lite-

rary or poetic creation.

12. metaphysical mind 12. scientific mind

B. points of similarity

1. poetry is an imitative art.

2. poetry arouses emotion.

3. poetry gives pleasure.

4. poetry influences the spectator or reader.

5. poetry could be considered from a practical and utilitarian point of view besides the aesthetic view-point.