Dr. Charlie Bicak
senior vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, 308.865.8209
Criticism of the Arts
Dr. Gene Fendt
department of philosophy
In Republic, Socrates criticizes the artist as being “three removes from the truth:” the divine idea being first, the carpenter or cobbler being second, the artist being third; moreover the artist works on the emotions, the lower part of the soul, and so corrupts us. But Socrates gives three versions of this argument (a bed, a bridle, and a flute), and listening carefully to the third—a flutist—can lead us to a conclusion opposite the one most people hear as Plato’s point.
Thursday, April 14, 4:15 p.m.
Thomas Hall
Atrium, Second Floor
Refreshments provided
