The controversy, as you'll see, is whether the arts, including literature, can give us knowledge, or whether it is more likely to mislead us into thinking that we "know" something when in fact we only learn what the artist or writer presents--not the truth itself.

The great Greek philosopher Plato thought we are misled by the arts. His student Aristotle disagreed.

After you read the material, take a moment to think about your own experience of the arts. Take an expansive view of the arts. You're probably familiar with some of the visual arts, like painting, drawing, photography and sculpture; architecture, and the performing arts, like music, theater, and film; and literature as well.

DISCUSS:

In your experience, do any of these arts arouse certain "emotions or activities that are able to facilitate or produce knowledge" by tapping into something that cannot be expressed in words? Do the arts help you see the world in a new way? Or are they not useful in producing knowledge because they do not convey true beliefs, or support or justify your beliefs?

Explain your thinking, using ideas from at least one of the thinkers mentioned in the article to back up your view. Cite the source.

In your answer, include an example from one of the arts to help support your position. Have you gotten "true knowledge"-or not-from a work of literature, the ideas of a philosopher, a piece of art or architecture, or a film? Describe a specific example so we can understand what it is and how it affected you. If possible, give a link so we can look at it, too.

To answer this question, start a thread in this discussion and give it a unique title (for example, "Joe agrees with Aristotle").

Your main post should be at least 250 words.