The Ancient Quarrel Between Poetry and Philosophy

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Exploring the tension between tragedy and philosophy, Thomas Gould examines the moral and psychological implications of depicting suffering and injustice. He begins with Plato's critiques, highlighting the conflict between the emotional pull of tragedy and the rational ideals of happiness. Gould argues for the psychological necessity of violence in literature and art, differentiating between sympathetic portrayals of victims and those that elicit empathy for perpetrators. This distinction underscores the complex responses to tragedy, religious myths, and political expressions.