Abstract
In contemporary literary theory, Plato is often cited as the original repudiator of literary truth, and Aristotle as he who set down that literature is “imitation,” thus himself involuntarily banning literature from truth. This essay argues that these interpretations adulterate the original arguments of Plato and Aristotle, who both believed in literary truth. We—literary theorists and philosophers of literature—should recognize this and rethink our interpretation of these ancient texts. This will, in turn, lead us to ask better questions about the nature of literary truth and value.
Highlights
In contemporary literary theory, Plato is often cited as the original repudiator of literary truth, and Aristotle as he who set down that literature is “imitation,” himself involuntarily banning literature from truth
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Today’s commonsense affirms that truth and value belong to the sciences, and that literature has little to offer in these regards. Even many of those who dedicate their lives to literary studies appear to have given up on defending outmoded notions of literary truth and value
Summary
Today’s commonsense affirms that truth and value belong to the sciences, and that literature has little to offer in these regards. Even many of those who dedicate their lives to literary studies appear to have given up on defending outmoded notions of literary truth and value. This essay argues that these kinds of interpretations misrepresent the original texts of Plato and Aristotle What follows defends this proposition and argues that it is valuable for two reasons: one, because it reminds us that we often misunderstand the ancients and that they still have something to teach us; two, because it sheds light on various difficulties in today’s exploration of the possibility of literary truth. The analysis aims to show that it is not true that Plato and Aristotle deny literary truth and, on the contrary, that re-reading them forces us to doubt today’s predominant skepticism in literary studies
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