Plato’s Philosophical Mimesis: On the Pedagogical and Protreptic Value of Imperfection

This article addresses two often perplexing traits in Plato’s philosophical style: first, the fact that writings are mimetic, despite strong criticisms of mimesis we find therein; second, this not only features constitutive defects inherent to any mimesis, but Plato actually increases its imperfection by adding other manifest defects. Based on epistemological and psychological views taken from Platonic corpus (especially soul’s tripartition), I show how uses defectiveness or overcome limitations identified Republic. To explain this, argue should be primarily conceived as an imitation people conversations which arguments conveyed, rather act practice inquiry, rendering visible reader, can better teach perform it turn readers a life determined performance. is without risks because, type still lead misunderstandings affect soul negative way. However, quantitative, qualitative tonal introduces his inquiry cause astonishment therefore have provocative effect helps reduce those enhance corpus’ pedagogic protreptic potential. Consequently, explores benefits contrast with artistic dramatic understood Republic X.