Plato's Objections to Artistic Freedom

Plato :

                Born : 428/427 or  424/423 BC

                Died : 348 BC 

               Plato born Aristocles, was an ancient Greek philosopher of the classical period. Who is considered a foundation thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms. He raised problem for what became all major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy, and was the founder of the PLATONIC ACADEMY, a philosophical school in ATHENS where plato taught the doctrines that would later become knows as PLATONISM. 

A Recent Controversy In Literature,Film Or Art That Echoes Plato's Objections To Artistic Freedom:

              Plato says that art imitates the objects and event of ordinary life. In other words, a work of art is a copy of a form. It is even more of an illusion than is ordinary experience on this theory, work of art are at best entertainment and at worst a dangerous delusion. This theory also apply in recent controversy in literature, film or art. Because of entertainment or popularity writer, director or artist also forget the authenticity of content. They go far away from reality as per plato's example of chair and carpenter. 

              Plato discussed some argument about artistic freedom in his work "Republic".He said... 

 

-Art is mere imitation. 

-In recent World imitation or copy are very comman feature. One industry or writers easily imitate each other. 

-Neither art nor artist contain or convey any real knowledge of real things.

-In recent we can see the example of film that based on historical event or part of epic like RAMAYANA and  MAHABHARATA. 

-Art is harmful for ideal society. 

-Recent art may be harm ideal society or norm of any religion so, it would be controversial. 

-Art can generat dangerous imitative behaviour e. g. Superhero movie or 'Shaktiman- indian T. V. Show'.

- As per example some people prove right to plato through their ideology of making show or book. 

-Art should be carefully concerned in order to cultivate the health of both individual and society. 

-some time  book or film address some particular caste, people, norm, religion etc. So it would be a point of controversy but many time it would be try to increase standard of particular society or individual. In example  there are many film , documentary, periodical during independence that show the idealism of being human and become equal without any boundaries of society, religion or region. So it can cultivate the health of both individual and society. 

             

               In this time of OTT, there are many controversy about film, literature or art. People have many objections regarding society, religion, region, gender ,cast etc.And it  become topic of controversy. 

Example:

1) one recent controversy in literature that    echoes plato's objections to artistic freedom involve the debate over J. K. Rowling's portrayal of transgender issues in her writing and public statement in 2020.

 

                Plato in his work "Republic" argued that artistic freedom should be constrained to prevent art from promoting harmful ideal and moral delay. similarly, critics of Rowling's view argue that her statement and the themes in her work can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the right and dignity of transgender individually. 

2) second one is the backlash against the film INDIA:THE MODI QUESTION. The BBC documentary which examine prime minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, faced significant controversy and was banned in india. The film was criticised by some for potentially undermine national unity and promoting a negative image of the country. 

                This aligns with Plato's concern that art and media can be used to subvert societal values and norms, leading to censorship and attempts to control the nagative. 

3) THE KERALA STORY (2023) :The movie which depicts a controversial narrative about conversions and jihadist activities, faced significant criticism and was accused of promoting a divisive and inflammatory agenda. Some state even sought to ban the film, arguing that it could incite communal tension and mislead audience. 

                This mirror Plato's concern that artistic work can stir unrest and propagate harmful ideology, leading to calls for restrictions on artistic expression. 

 

 

My Stance On This  Controversy:

                 I'm agree with Plato's theory but not totally. Because sometimes art is imitation. Plato's example of chair and carpenter most appropriate on this theory. Now a days we can find it out that many films and literature banne because of the content is far away from reality. Writer or director only focus on imitation. They have no idea about what actually happened. They focus on publicity. Many film, literature or art left it's root. I see in many movie that controversial thing happen. Historical movie like 'PADMAVAT' , 'AADIPURUSH' become subject of controversy because of imitation. Some time it promote the idea of equality, transparency and many things that can be a medium of people to change their ideology regarding particular norm, caste or gender. 

                 So, according to me Plato is  right in his  theory of objections to artistic freedom but in now a days it become wrong for some people or thinkers.