柏拉图论“诗与哲学之争”的政治哲学思考

Thinking on the Comments on "Quarrel about Poetry and Philosophy" by Plato from the Perspective of Political Philosophy

古希腊哲人柏拉图在其《理想国》中批判诗和诗人,引发了西方思想史上的"诗与哲学之争"。苏格拉底之死使柏拉图认识到,被以诗为主要内容的雅典教育培养出的政客把持着雅典政府,拒绝对城邦真正有利的提议,并对真正有智慧的人实施了伤害。诗是对灵魂与国家统治的败坏。诗与哲学之争实质上是政治制度和生活方式之争。诗代表了普通民众的日常生活,是城邦中多数人过的宗法生活,与城邦政治共同体密不可分;哲学则代表了一种新兴的生活,是少数人过的追求智慧的生活,与城邦政治共同体必然发生冲突。

In The Republic, Plato criticized poetry and poets, which caused the quarrel about poetry and philosophy in the history of western thoughts. The death of Socrates awaked Plato to that the politicians educat- ed by ancient Athens education, which was characterized by poetry controlling the government in Athens, re- jected truly advantageous proposals for Athens City States and caused harm to people of true wisdom. Poetry is the destruction of soul and national ruling. The quarrel about poetry and philosophy is actually the quarrel about political system and life style. Poetry which represents common people＇s daily life is the patriarchal clan life that most people in city state live, and is closely identified with the political community. Philosophy represents a new life that a few people live to pursue wisdom, and it would inevitably clash with the polis political commu- nity.