disagree or agree with plato?

Question

"Because it does not tell the truth, imaginative literature must shut down readers' rational faculties, in order that it can appeal to their emotions; the effect of such literature, then, is to weaken the minds of its readers." -plato

please provide reasons why for your choice. thanks.

Answer 1

Well if strength of the mind is defined as how grounded in earth it is, then yes, imaginative literature would weaken reader's minds. But most people would agree that one great strength of the human mind over animals' minds is that humans have an imagination and can think into the future. If the strength of the mind were measured by its capacity to perceive that which currently doesn't exist, then imaginative literature would feed that creativity. And imagination is what causes invention.