The Power of Art: Part 2

If the Republic is all about everyone’s happiness, why not art?

Art tends to make people happy. When we can consume the creative media that we enjoy, it often aids in putting us in a better mood. Reading, listening to music, watching movies, etc. are usually considered hobbies that we engage in when we have free time and/or to relax when we’re stressed. And Socrates wants to sensor art in his ideal city. As mentioned in part 1, the artists and art consumers in the Republic wouldn’t be satisfied with the strict regulations. The art of the Republic wouldn’t bring happiness, but frustration because it lacks truth. Socrates doesn’t want his citizens to relax anyway. He wants them to be happy by working. So what is an artist, whose work is art, to do in such a world? Nothing. The artist would be restricted in expression and unhappy. But everyone has to be happy in the Republic. Apparently, artists aren’t part of “everyone” in this city. The only art allowed is that which will support the education of the guardians. Being forced to consume creative media with the sole intention of an education with a limited perspective is unlikely to bring happiness. Yet, it’s necessary in the Republic, because art is “harmless—except, of course, that when lawlessness has established itself there, it flows over little by little into characters and ways of life” (100). Again, Socrates’ fear of being exposed arises. He knows the power of art and doesn’t want the people to find out the truth of their not-so-ideal ideal world.

How to deal with Socrates

434b & 434c

I was wondering if these two passages apply to Trump and his presidency and even to Reagan too because he, like Trump, was an entertainer in media before he became President (though I don't know if the same things were said about him as they are about Trump). Plato's Socrates says "that these exchanges and this sort of meddling bring the city to ruin" (434b) and what made me relate this to Trump was when Socrates was describing the kind of person who would do this meddling as  "someone... who... is puffed up by wealth" (434c). So, would this apply to Trump's presidency because he thinks he can do/say anything he wants because he's rich or, because our society values being able to change the individuals status (American Dream and all that jazz), does it not apply?

"Getting down to the tough questions... are farmers happier then potters?!?" : Discussion Question (s) ; Plato, The Republic: BK IV

Greetings people of Earth and inhabitants of DR. M-B's "Utopia" class. I found book IV to be full of too many ideas interesting to just ask one discussion question, so I’m cheating and asking two, (which is a compromise because I have 3-4 at least). 

When I read the quote, "we aren't aiming to make any one group outstandingly happy, but to make the whole city so, as far as possible", my mind immediately thought of Bentham, and Utilitarianism. I thought that was the path book IV was leading me down, but Socrates and Adeimantus from my understanding were talking about something slightly different. From my understanding (which could definitely be off), decisions regarding the treatment of groups, - potters, farmers, ect., - should be based off of accordance to groups, rather than fairness among groups. I personally believe they were on to something, as they recognized that they simply cannot make all happy in the same way. I believe the goal of their logic was to provide each group with fulfillment. But my question is, are there different types of happiness among these groups, and are there more fulfilling types of happiness that create disparities in their society? In other words, when a farmer farms land does he or she feel more complete then when a potter molds clay, or is their sense of purpose and subsequent sense of fulfillment equal? (This highlights a problem I have with group identities in general, but I’m sure we’ll get to that another time).

My second question is much more simple. I found the idea that both poverty and wealth corrupt a craftsman to be a really interesting concept. I don’t quite have an opinion; I just want to know what you think? Do both poverty and wealth corrupt a craftsman??

The Power of Art

What struck me the most during the Plato reading was the emphasis on censorship towards the arts. I haven’t quite been able to get my thoughts together, but I’ll try.

I think art tells the truth about life. Artists of all types are the ones who ask the “what if” questions about life. Since we’re all so different, there are different methods of creativity to express our answers to those “what if” questions. When consuming content, we all have different “levels” that we can tolerate. When art is uncensored, everyone has the freedom to establish his or her own tolerance “level” and choose what kinds of art to consume. By limiting art in the way Socrates describes, he wants to limit not only the people’s expression, but the people’s consumption of art. Then, people who want to consume more content than what he’s offering are stymied and probably frustrated. Artists and consumers of art will want to know more and why they’re not allowed to know more. Ultimately, it’s about control. He doesn’t want people to ask “what if” about their world. Instead, he wants to tell them only want he wants them to hear. But to the artists and consumers of art, this will not be enough. Even under oppression, art speaks the truth. In the proposed Republic, eventually some type of art would come forth and tell the truth about their world. This is why he fears art and wants to control it.

A Bedtime Poem by Joseph Goebbels

Listen up, children
Gather 'round before bed
And listen to a tale
Of what Fascistates said

He was old and wise
And lived in Greece
A beautiful homeland
Oh, so nice and neat!

He laid out the rules
That we all should follow
For a happy today
And a better tomorrow

For we all have a role
A part in this play
Our paradise is near
So listen what I say

To you, my son
Grow up and get stronger
A guardian of country
Of father and mother

Do not cry, do not hesitate
Do not fear death
Do not question your leader
Do not read the wrong texts

Ah, kindness and niceness
Blue eyes and niceness
Goodness and niceness
And la-dee-da niceness

To you, my daughter
Be a sweet and sure mother
If you cry, weep for country
For the strife it endures!

Do not fight, do not struggle
Do not exit your bubble
Do not question your husband
Do not ask for trouble

Ah, kindness and goodness
Blond hair and goodness
Wonder and goodness
And la-la-la goodness

So worry not
Of what all this means
Leave that to the ministers
Who worry for you

They give you a country
Of culture and art
Of pure people popping out
Of homes and of marts

They each have their purpose
Like me and like you
To build a utopia
As the Greeks sought to

No, these are not falsehoods
They're truthhoods, it's true
And falsehoods are no good
If the Führer needs you!