Plato and Aristophanes: Philosophy vs. Poetry

Dr. Lisa Leibowitz contemplates the quarrel between Plato and Aristophanes relating to human nature and the best way of life for human beings individually and collectively. In the Symposium , Plato viewed philosophy as the pursuit of ultimate truth. Aristophanes contends it is the poet's job to safeguard the soul of the city-state and lead men to wisdom and the good life. He dismisses philosophy as "...never-ending futile chatter." He condemns philosophy even as practiced by Socrates and Plato because their focus on what is true everywhere and for all people makes them indifferent to the local and temporal concerns of the city-state. By contrast, poetry tethers us to the present and makes us both wiser and better citizens. Dr. Leibowitz is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kenyon College. She began teaching at Kenyon College in 2006, having previously taught courses in political philosophy and American government at Michigan State University. She teaches in the Political Science and IPHS Departments. Her scholarly interests include ancient and modern political philosophy, and classical literature, especially Aristophanes. Her current research focuses on the quarrel between Plato and Aristophanes about human nature and the best way of life for human beings individually and collectively.