Poetry in teaching philosophy. The project of Plutarch of Cheronea

<ns3:p>The aim of this article is to survey the Plutarch’s assessment of poetry as a means of an introductory training young men in preparation for later studies of more sophisticated philosophical issues. Plutarch’s essay entitled Πῶς δεῖ τὸν νέον ποιημάτων ἀκούειν seems to be a contribution to the similar educational project which is present in some Platonic dialogues. The philosopher’s reflections on poetic art are based on numerous quotations mainly taken from texts by epic, lyric and tragic Greek writers such as Homer, Hesiod, Archilochus, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Menander. Anyway, Plutarch in his work clearly suggests how the students should study poetry in a proper way. According to his opinion, there is bad and good in poetry and paidagogos must learn young men to avoid the dangerous of the latter. It is clear, then, that pupils need to understand that poetry is a mimetic art and it contains many falsehoods. Therefore, the young men first of all should seek out the good in poetry and to associate it with related philosophical doctrines.</ns3:p>