魔方的另一面——从认识论的角度理解《理想国》的“模仿”

Another Side of the Magic Cube:Understanding "Imitation" in The Republic from the Perspective of Epistemology

"模仿"是研究柏拉图《理想国》的关键词之一。对《理想国》进行文本细读,从认识论的角度发现"模仿"这一词语有着丰富含义与所指。从其历史背景来看,柏拉图认为在生活、文艺中存在着多重模仿,在第二、三卷中他对模仿与诗歌是宽容、肯定的态度;而在最后的第十卷中,他对模仿进行猛烈地批判——批判诗人,否定模仿,他认为诗歌模仿的对象往往是人性中低劣的部分,各种卑下的情感会使民众陷入无意义的私人情感与有害欲望。

＂Imitation＂ is one of the Key word to the study of Plato and his The Republic.Through a close reading of The Republic,an abundance of meanings and denotations of the word ＂imitation＂ from the perspective of epistemology.Historically,Plato believes multi-leveled ＂imitation＂ exists in real life and the artistic world.While he displays a positive and tolerant attitude toward both ＂imitation＂ and poetry in Chapters 2 and 3,in Chapter 10,the last chapter of the book,he criticizes ＂imitation＂ severely through criticizing the poet and rejecting ＂imitation＂,arguing that the parts imitated in poetry are usually the inferior parts of human nature,which will indulge people in insignificant private emotions and harmful desires.