# Plato — What Is Art? character guide

> Plato in What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Ancient philosopher whose views on art are discussed.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as one who repudiated all art in his Republic, viewing it as dangerous.

### [Chapter VI: The Religious Basis of Art and Its Decline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/vi)

Referenced as having condemned the gross conception of art based on pleasure, which the upper classes later adopted.

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

Cited for his contradictory reasonings about beauty and goodness, and as a supposed founder of aesthetic science.

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

Mentioned in the context of aesthetic theories and the separation of beauty and art.

## Links

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