Abstract

The problem of the relationship between art and philosophy is deeply rooted in the philosophical tradition. When Plato excluded artists from the philosophers’ mythical republic, he seemed to be assuming a strict opposition between art and philosophy. Artists do not know what they are saying. Because their creation is grounded in the madness of inspiration, they would be unable to give accounts for their doctrines even if doctrines could be gleaned from their works. Philosophers, on the other hand, must be able to provide such accounts. They commit themselves to providing reasons for their conclusions.