Literature

Literature not only describes reality but also adds to it. Literary works are portrayals of the thinking patterns and social norms prevalent in society. They are a depiction of the different facets of common man’s life. Classical literary works serve as a food for thought and encourage imagination and creativity. Exposing oneself to good literary works, is equivalent to providing one with the finest of educational opportunities. On the other hand, the lack of exposure to good literature is equal to depriving oneself from the opportunity to grow. Works by poets like Homer, Plato, Sappho, Horace and Virgil, Shakespeare’s sonnets and notable poetry by W.B. Yeats, John Keats, Wordsworth, Tennyson, and William Blake, among others, are timeless. As different scholars give evidence on how the importance of literature, it remains morally and politically beneficial to the society.

Literature can be appreciated in deeper depths through its ability to change or create new ways in which people think. Plato and Nietzsche in their philosophies viewed the world as a society that prevents individuals from experiencing the true nature of reality (). However, the view of the nature of reality was very dissimilar for both of them. According to Nietzsche, an individual could be represented as an ideal of a free spirit by looking the society from a different view. Analogous to his view, Plato’s idea illustrated humans as absolutely unacquainted of what the real world looked like (). Nietzsche reality was a reality based on what you see is what you get. He believed that everything that happened was due to fate and all humans should accept reality for what it is and not create a false sense of reality. Indeed, focusing on both philosophers’ literature of viewing the world, it is clear that the society have a chance of making better decisions by accepting the reality of their current situations.

In Nietzsche’s philosophical outlooks, he emphasizes humans to live for what is real and actually enjoy life. According to his literature he states that ‘God is dead’ and he believed that life was all there was and the greatest way to live was to find the true actuality of the world (). On the other hand, plato’s concept of reality was different from Nietzsche’s opinion. With regards to plato’s theory of ‘forms’, he believed that everything we see in this world is an imperfect imitation and nothing is actual or perfect (). Plato viewed the world as a two-tiered view of reality. His philosophy divided the universe into the visible realm (images, plants, animals) and the intelligible realm (ideas). Nietzsche greatly rejects plato’s philosophy since he believed that kind of reality was detrimental and it prevented individuals from living a full and optimistic life. As such, both their views on reality expresses how individuals are shielded by the society.

The work of plato and Nietzsche helps individuals realize their value and they put emphasis on individuals viewing life as a way to gain knowledge. Both philosophers believe in knowing oneself by exploring your own morals and values regardless the morals and values the society holds (). In that case, the philosophers believed by creating ourselves as individuals based on our morals and values would lead to happiness. However, each philosopher had a different view of the journey to self-discovery. According to plato, the creation of virtue and happiness was dependent on one’s knowledge (). In his opinion, the journey to happiness begins with knowledge that leads to assertion of virtue and values. Plato’s literature emphasized on taking time to learn and discover our strengths and weakness as he believed that was the only way to achieve happiness. On the other hand, Nietzsche believes that academic knowledge cannot liberate individuals. Ideally, from both philosophers’ individuals can realize that attainment of knowledge is vital.

Also, Nietzsche philosophy puts emphasis on revaluation of old values in order for them to be considered in life. He believes that individuals should create their own values and should not depend on nature or reason, as suggested by plato (). However, both plato and Nietzsche in their literatures agree that one’s ability to accept wrong doing and ignorance is an important factor in establishment of strong morals and values. Both philosophers hold high regard for wisdom and they believe the greatest individual in a society is not the wealthiest but the thinker (). Both plato and Nietzsche philosophies were based on changing the views of the society as they were both suspicious of the ruling régime and wanted people to be able to stand for themselves when time for change came. As such, it is evident both literatures from plato and Nietzsche are beneficial to individuals as they enable one to change their outlook on life.

Further literature enables the readers to understand the importance of having private property and the role of self-interest among individuals. Aristotle does not believe in plato’s ideas that the state should be unified at all cost. According to plato’s views in the Republic, he claims that wives to the rulers should be shared and fathers should not put a claim on their sons and daughters (). Instead, all the citizens in the state should take responsibility of all the children as their own. Aristotle does not support plato’s ideas as he believes they would eliminate private property leading to shared ownership. He informs the people that shared ownership will make many individuals forget that they have responsibilities to take care of and there will be no one paying attention to the responsibilities at hand. As a result, individuals become lazy knowing someone else somewhere will take care of their affairs. As said by Aristotle, people will be more concerned for what belongs to them and what is beneficial and if property is shared there will be no motive to maintain them. Therefore, as we see from Aristotle literature, self-interestedness and the ability to own private property is beneficial to the society and state as whole.

Through Aristotle philosophies, an individual is able to realize the role of the middle class in the society. The philosopher expresses his views by stating that in every society there is a gap between the prosperous and the disadvantaged (). He believes that the state should not allow either of the sides to rule. The rich group of individuals are not willing to be controlled or ruled while the disadvantaged ones either do not know how to rule or lacks the resources to facilitate their education. Also he believes that the prosperous given a chance to rule will treat the poor as slave’s and if the chance goes to the poor they will introduce laws to seize their property (). Aristotle believes the middle class should be entitled with maintaining the balance between the two fractions as they appreciate the value of hard work and can learn virtues to be just rulers. In that case, readers of Aristotle philosophies understand the role played by the middle class in the society to maintain a balance between the two fractions.

In another instance, literature is politically beneficial to all its readers as they are able to understand that a successful political system depends on education. Most individuals believe that philosophy and events of real world are mutually exclusive. Aristotle clearly deflects from that thinking by stating it to be incorrect. He adds that education is the backbone of a political system and children should be educated to understand the ideals of politics (). If that is not the case, the government cannot stand if its citizens do not understand the principles of a society. An educated society will fight for its democracy knowing what they really are fighting for. It can only be democracy if the majority rule and there is freedom. On that end, also the citizens should not misuse the freedom since it is not a goal of a democratic society. Aristotle states that a society that misuses its democracy can also not survive (). As such, a good political system should focus on providing the needs of its citizens and at the same time, creating a safe environment that enhances virtue growth. Therefore, an ideal political system is defined by the status of education that is essential for the continued existence of the state.

Aristotle’s literature on ‘telos’ enables readers to develop virtues that enable them to attain a moral purpose in the society. According to Aristotle, everything either living or nonliving has a purpose (). He adds that human beings have ‘telos’ which is to become happy. Despite the fact that human beings find happiness in different ways they all have a purpose. To reach happiness, Aristotle believes that individuals should live a life of virtue (). A life that is not morally good or virtuous cannot be termed as a happy life no matter what the individual thinks. The philosopher compares such individuals to a knife that cannot cut since its meant to cut and he terms them as miserable people since they live a life that a knife cannot (). Living according to virtue means that one is capable of utilizing all the human capabilities that eventually contributes to their own happiness. Aristotle emphasizes that human beings have been granted by nature the ability to discover things rather than create them and they should discover what is right and wrong. Individuals do not decide what is wrong or right but they decide whether to do the right or the wrong thing. Therefore, this is the most crucial decision we make in life. with that decision comes a happy life.