柏拉图文艺观的意义和价值再认识

Plato's Outlook on Literature and Art:Its Value and Re-assessment

要评价柏拉图应该从三个方面入手 :第一是要认识到柏拉图其实是很痛苦的 ;第二是从他整个思想体系的基础———理性主义出发来认识他的文艺观 ;第三是我们应该看到柏拉图在否定文艺的过程中揭示出了文艺的一些根本特点和规律。我们不能简单地只是因为柏拉图否定文艺的结论就认为柏拉图对文艺只起到负面影响 ,只是“反面教材” ,而是应该看到他的正面贡献。在柏拉图那里 ,过程比结果要重要得多 ,这一点对文艺尤其重要。

Three approaches are proposed in this paper to the assessment of Plato:a) the understanding of Plato's mental agony;b) the understanding of his outlook on literature and art from the standpoint of rationalism as the basis of his integrated ideological system;c) the understanding of his revelation of the essential characteristics and regularities of litrature and art while noticing his negative attitude towards literature and art. The author argues that Plato's negation of literature and art should not be seen simply as a negative impact and example,and that his contribution to the literary theory should be seen as positive.As to Plato's theory,the course of his expounding is more important than the outcomes--and that is especially essential for literature and art.