Plato's Censorship

Paper Summary:

While agreeing with Plato's commitment to improving education, and with his belief in upholding social and moral values, this paper disagrees with the control and censorship of art, literature, or any other freedom of expression that exists within a liberal and democratic state. Plato's views are based on Book III of "The Republic" which is titled "The Arts in Education"

From the Paper:

"The majority of individuals within any society tend to agree upon the vices and behaviors that are considered to be immoral and unacceptable, and the structures of legislation and social guidelines tend to deal with those that are not tolerated. However, within any group or community, there exists an enormous range and variety of personal and cultural values and morals which, in a democratic state, should not be under the control or censorship of a ruling minority. Just as the artist or poet should possess the freedom to express their ideas, so each individual should remain at liberty to read whatever literature, or appreciate whichever work of art, they wish to. To oppress this freedom is the foundation of dictatorship and fascism, and even Plato, after asking that "the same control to be extended to other artists" and is he who cannot conform to this rule of ours to be prevented from practicing his art in our State, lest the taste of our citizens be corrupted by him (70), expresses signs of being unsure as to the correctness of his proposal by adding, "But shall we be right in getting rid of them?" (68)"

More papers on Plato's Censorship:

• Essay # 66214 : "Censorship in Plato's "Republic"
• Analytical Essay # 23259 : "Arguments on Censorship"
• Analytical Essay # 121927 : "Plato's Ideas of Government"

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