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Why did Plato recommend excluding poets and painters from his ideal republic?

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Philosophy of art *Untitled (String Quilt, Housetop Pattern)*, cotton quilt with flour sack backing, 1930s; in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

In his Republic, Plato advocated for the exclusion of poets and painters from his ideal state primarily due to his metaphysical and moral concerns regarding the nature of art.

Metaphysical Objections

Plato viewed the physical world as a mere shadow of the ideal forms—the only true reality. He argued that artistic creation is a form of mimesis, or imitation, which renders art "thrice removed from the truth." Because artists create appearances rather than realities, he considered them "creators of illusions" who possess no genuine knowledge of the subjects they depict.12

Moral Objections

Plato championed a moralistic view of art, believing that its primary function should be to serve the welfare of society and the cultivation of virtue. He feared that art could:3
* Corrupt the Soul: He believed that certain works, including passages in Homer or disturbing music, could negatively influence the young and impressionable, potentially undermining the moral character required for the state's rulers.3
* Subvert Reason: By appealing to emotions and senses rather than reason, art was seen as a potentially subversive force that could distract individuals from the pursuit of Truth, Beauty, and the Good.342

Ultimately, Plato concluded that when art conflicts with the moral and ethical foundations of the state, it must be sacrificed to ensure the purity and stability of the republic.3