# Aristotle — What Is Art? character guide

> Aristotle in What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Ancient Greek philosopher on mimesis and catharsis.

## In the story

### [Chapter V: The Infection Theory of Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/v)

Listed among ancients who looked on art as transmitting feelings from religious perception.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/vii)

Referenced for demanding moral influence from art (katharsis) and for having a theory of art separate from the theory of beauty.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in relation to aesthetic theories and the separation of beauty and art.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters/aristotle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters