[meteor_slideshow slideshow=”arp1″]
In an essay of 1000-1250 words, discuss how the criteria put forth in Aristotle’s Poetics might be applied to a work from our reading list. Apply at least four of the terms from Poetics in your essay and explain how the work you chose fulfills Aristotle’s criteria. You must draw upon both texts to support your claims and integrate relevant quotations from each using MLA format.
How do we know what we know? How do we apply knowledge? Is there a universal truth? What is justice, truth, and morality? One way to approach these questions is from a religious understanding, as we examined in Modules 5 and 6. Another method, though, is more secular though no less influential. Scholars have been seeking understanding of humanity and our potential for countless centuries, and the impact of ancient scholars is still felt in our culture today.
Previous Page
At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
• Articulate the relationship between a text and context or background.
• Identify elements of Socratic Method as argument.
• Identify and explain significance of key works.
• Analyze three philosophers with a distinct relationship.
Apply standards of literary criticism to works from reading list.
Objectives
“Plato” in Volume A, pp. 863-867
– “The Apology of Socrates” (online version)
– “Poetics” (Section I, Parts VI-XI) (online versi
The Socratic method is dialectic, meaning that it is based upon a conversation between two people. Socrates privileged truth above all else and felt that it could be discovered through reason and logic employed in discussion. The Socratic method identifies weak hypotheses that contradict with other beliefs and eliminates them from the realm of possibility.
Click here for an example of the Socratic method.
Republic
And who is best able to do good to his friends and evil to his enemies in time of sickness?
The physician.
Or when they are on a voyage, amid the perils of the sea?
The pilot.
And in what sort of actions or with a view to what result is the just man most able to do harm to his enemy and good to his friends?
In going to war against the one and in making alliances with the other.
But when a man is well, my dear Polemarchus, there is no need of a physician?
No.
And he who is not on a voyage has no need of a pilot?
No.
Then in time of peace justice will be of no use?
I am very far from thinking so.
You think that justice may be of use in peace as well as in war?
Yes.
The names of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are common enough in today’s culture. These ancient philosophers left their mark on Western society, shaping how we create arguments, how we reason, and how we study almost everything—even literature. We have even used their names in our language; the Socratic method is a way of teaching that you are probably familiar with, and we are all familiar with the term “platonic” when applied to relationships. Before we jump into a discussion of any one of these scholars, it is important to understand the relationship between all three. Socrates was the teacher of Plato; Plato was the teacher of Aristotle; Aristotle, interestingly enough, was the teacher of Alexander the Great.
Socrates lived from 469-399 BCE. He is credited with founding Western philosophy, though none of his original writings survive. Socrates is thought to have been a stonemason by trade, and there is evidence that he was involved with the military at one point in his youth. He is known for his challenging conversations with his fellow citizens on issues regarding justice, truth, and freedom. His method was dialectic: instead of lecturing on his thoughts and beliefs, Socrates asked questions, often playing the role of the innocent in an effort to challenge often unexamined beliefs of those around him. This pedagogical technique is known as the Socratic method. His listeners were often frustrated, not so much by the question and answer format that Socrates employed but by the fact that he would not provide a clear substitute for the belief he had destroyed. He charged Athenians with thinking logically through to the truth, and this emphasis on the individual led naturally to a distrust in public life. Not surprisingly, Socrates was charged with corrupting the youth of Athens and impiety, and was sentenced to death. Rather than fleeing, he accepted his fate, claiming that death would release his soul: “But I see clearly that the time had arrived when it was better for me to die and be released from trouble; wherefore the oracle gave no sign. [. . . ] The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows.” (Socrates 799)
But if none of Socrates’ writings survive, why are we studying him in a literature course? Think back to the relationship between Socrates and Plato, Socrates was Plato’s teacher and Plato recorded much of Socrates’ dialogues, including the representation of Socrates’ trial presented in the Apology. Plato lived from 429-347 BCE, and though most of his writings involve Socrates, he is influential in his own right. Plato’s works are studied today in many academic disciplines; you may have encountered his dialogue the Republic before, in fact. One of the most read excerpts from the Republic is the “Allegory of the Cave,” which addresses knowledge and the human quest for truth. Plato was born into an aristocratic Athenian family and contemplated going into politics as a young man. The execution of Socrates turned him away from politics, though through his works he tried to exert influence over Athenian leaders. He founded the Academy in 385 BCE. It is interesting to note that while Socrates mentions Plato by name as part of his argument in the Apology, Plato never mentions himself by name in any of his dialogues.
Background on Plato 1
The sections of The Apology that you will see in our text include the accusations, cross- examination, penalty (and Socrates’ response to the penalty), address of the verdict, and address of the penalty.
Plato’s other writings, which recorded dialogues with Socrates, often address knowledge and beliefs. He felt that knowledge is recollection, not learned or studied. It is not empirical, but rather comes from divine sight. Plato believed in the immortality of the soul and felt that only those who “climbed from the cave” (that is sought and achieved truth) were fit to rule.
Background on Plato 2
So where does Aristotle come in then? Aristotle lived from 384-322 BCE, and is from Northern Greece at Stagira near Macedonia—unlike Plato, he was not a born Athenian. His parents both died when he was very young, and his uncle, who taught Aristotle Greek, rhetoric, and poetry, raised him. He joined Plato’s Academy for a while, but unlike Plato’s ideas of a communal Utopia, he favored a society run by cultured gentlemen. He left upon the death of his teacher; after years of traveling, studying, and tutoring Alexander the Great, he returned to Athens and founded his own school, the Lyceum. He is credited with creating the world’s first research library. His curiosity was not limited by abstract concepts addressed by Socrates and Plato: he studied zoology, botany, biology, physics, political science, ethics, logic, music, and math. Aristotle’s writings cover an amazing scope, and his Poetics is the first recorded work of literary criticism.
Background on Aristotle
Poetics was composed in 330 BCE, and was inspired by Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Medea. Poetics was not an influential work during its time period, though Aristotle’s theory of tragedy was highly inspirational and influential centuries later in the Enlightenment.
Our selection from Poetics includes a definition of dramatic tragedy, which Aristotle claims is “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper catharsis of these emotions.”
Literary Elements on Poetics
At this point, please begin reading all the assigned text. In The Apology, you will notice various sections: accusations, cross-examination, penalty (and Socrates’ response to the penalty, address of the verdict, and address of the penalty. Below are the links to the guiding questions which are provided to assist you as you read to help you read critically, and focus on key concepts of the text. After reading the assigned text, you should be able to answer all of these questions. These questions will also help you when you are working on your next essay and exam.
Guiding Question for Plato, The Apology
1. What distinctions can you make between Socrates and Plato?
2. What about Socrates’ philosophy is demonstrated here?
3. What does Socrates say about being wise versus being ignorant?
4. What is the significance of this piece?
Guiding Questions for Aristotle, Poetics
1. What is the importance of imitation in tragedy?
2. What is the poet’s function?
3. What is the role of chance?
4. How does spectacle function?
Directions:
In an essay of 1000-1250 words, discuss how the criteria put forth in Aristotle’s Poetics might be applied to a work from our reading list. Apply at least four of the terms from Poetics in your essay and explain how the work you chose fulfills Aristotle’s criteria. You must draw upon both texts to support your claims and integrate relevant quotations from each using MLA format
[meteor_slideshow slideshow=”arp2″]
A-Research-Paper.com is committed to deliver a custom paper/essay which is 100% original and deliver it within the deadline. Place your custom order with us and experience the different; You are guaranteed; value for your money and a premium paper which meets your expectations, 24/7 customer support and communication with your writer. Order Now
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]
