| The theory of imitation is one of the most important theories that have been handed down in western literary history. This paper mainly discusses the significance of Plato's imitation theory in the respect of modern aesthetics, philosophy and ethics. Simultaneously, it reveals the relationship between art imitation and truth, virtue and beauty. Plato deprived the imitation of aesthetic meaning, belittled the irrational part in the human nature and praised rationality highly. In his opinion, a perfect city-state is based on the harmonious soul so that individuals should hide the humanity in the art to reduce the contradiction and accomplish self-perfection and morality-purification. Those opinions are politically colored by Plato's blue blood and the view of Idealism. Plato considered that individuals must make their personalities invisible to better serve the country. The root of this contradiction is the irreconcilable conflict between the human natural quality and the utility required by social norm. |
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