Aristotles View on Art

The view that Aristotle had on the concept of art is opposite to his teacher, Plato who taught that art is
useless and potentially dangerous. However, Aristotle disagreed; he believed that art is not dangerous or
useless.
The word mimesis is derived from the Greek meaning imitation. By applying mimesis to art, implies that
art, in its many forms, is merely a replication to something that already exists according to Plato. Yet,
Aristotle believed that Mimesis is not an imitation but more on the lines of representing or idealising
something. Mimesis is a subjective topic that involves intellect and perspective. Art requires the ability to
use ones imagination and intellect. Aristotle implies that mimesis implies that humans can use reason and
that humans learn through art, which allows the ability to create.
Plato believed that the arts arouses the passion in people, but Aristotle embraced this characteristic
through tragedies. Aristotle primarily looked at tragedy as a mimesis as it is an action that is relatively
serious. The action should be complete and have an effect in the audience. Tragedy brings about catharsis
through the emotions portrayed by the tragedy.
Catharsis means cleansing or purification in Greek. It implies the sudden emotional climax that is caused
from the feelings of sorrow, laughter or pity. In essence any extreme change in emotions will lead to a
renewal or revitalization. Aristotle saw catharsis as one of the five virtues he speaks about as it cleanses.
Techn is similar to episteme as both refer to a type of knowledge. However, techn refers to a more
practical aspect of art. Techn embodies the knowledge to apply it to a goal. Aristotle believed that the
person who has techn goes beyond experience of universal judgement. Through techn people can help
individuals. A person who has mastered techn is wiser than a person with just experience as he knows
the reasons and causes for things to be done in the manner in which they are carried out. Since techn
can be taught, it is often thought rather than experienced as the reasoning behind his techn. The
significance of techn is that humans learn by mimesis and it takes skilled people to mimic the world to
teach others through the various forms of art.
Essentially, Aristotle believed that there is valuable knowledge taken from mimesis and portrayed through
the art forms.