Mimesis
conceptImitation or representation — the foundational concept of Western aesthetic theory.
The Myth
Plato condemned mimesis as a copy of a copy: art imitates the physical world, which itself imitates the Forms, placing art three steps from truth. Aristotle rescued the concept, arguing that mimesis in tragedy produces catharsis and reveals universal truths about human nature. This disagreement between Plato and Aristotle about whether artistic imitation enlightens or deceives has structured debates about art, censorship, and representation for 2,400 years.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The entire theory of literary realism — from the 19th-century novel to method acting — descends from Aristotle's defence of mimesis against Plato's attack.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
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