Plato and art
I am continuing to read and to love The Forbidden Image by Alain Besancon. He says of Plato:
Plato condemns art for being incapable of attaining truth and - this is a more serious matter - for turning men away from truth. Anyone who wishes to attain the true image of the divine must not take this path, but that of asceticism, an asceticism of body, soul, and intelligence.
So the roots of the perennial conflict between the lovers of life and its riches and the ascetics goes back to the beginning. Something strikes me as wrong whenever people think that asceticism is the higher path than that of a life fully engaged with art, work, and love. However, I don’t think they have to be mutually exclusive tracks. I see the need for asceticism, and I don’t doubt that holy men like John the Forerunner and Elijah were in some sense of the word ascetics.
Unrelated, but on an LDS note, Plato thought:
This world had a beginning; it was not created, but it was organized. Its “creation” was an imposition of order, and that order constitutes its beauty.
I find it interesting that the LDS critique of Christian “apostasy” is that we Hellenized some time ago. And yet the Platonic concept of creation is that of matter being organized - which is the same belief that Mormons hold. Perhaps they should think twice before casting the Hellenizing charge our way.
I’m with you. I think that ascetecism has a time and a place. Yet, I cannot contemplate a life so disengaged from culture/art, work, love, friends and family. I think that there is a need to be engaged in those pursuits. Our spirit longs for it. I think of Paul, who was a sports fanatic in his own day. I bet you he’d be quite an authority on the NFL if he lived today. These are not the essence of the Gospel, but I think they help us relate the Gospel because they are elements of life that help us relate to others.
Excellent observation of “hellenization” by the way.
Well, thanks! It’s good to agree and not argue!