Imitation as a Political Tool

Analyzing Orwell's and Plato's Philosophies of Language

Abstract

In Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" and Plato's Republic, both thinkers discuss one of language's most problematic yet potentially unavoidable features: imitation. Orwell sees imitation as a symptom of individual linguistic practice; Plato thinks that it is inseparable from language. Orwell and Plato agree that poor use of language, particularly in the written sense, can lead other to believe certain unrealities, threatening the political stability of society. This paper will put Orwell's discussion of the political effects of good and bad writing in conversation with Plato's views of what constitutes a morally (and thus politically) good myth. While there can be positive aspects to imitation (such as imitating virtue), the imitation of vice poses great concern to both authors. Finally, the paper analyzes the proposed solutions and how Orwell and Plato both propose a methodology of virtuous imitation.