When Plato discusses the Philosopher Kings he also mentions other classes of people he wishes to see. Among the other classes he includes workers, farmers, policemen, soldiers, civil servants, and all those who produce and distribute the material necessities of life. He however proposes to exclude artists and poets from his ideal society. Artists throughout the history of mankind have been those who comment most expressively on world issues. We can tell the mood of a time period based on the artwork that came out of it. Poets have been equally influential and have helped many a person to explore their inner feelings.
Poets and artists provide a society with culture. Their work helps to tie together people of different backgrounds. Everyone can relate to a picture about the troubled economy or a poem about World
War I. Many eras of our history have been defined by their artwork.Also art allows people to express themselves. Without it many people would be trapped inside their minds and not able to let anything out. And while Plato didn't propose to get rid of art, without having art related jobs many people would not be inclined to follow their passion of painting or writing. Whole professions and ways of life would be wiped out and as a result more people would probably go insane or become criminals.
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