Aristotle (384-322 BC) presented his theory of aesthetics in his work “Poetics,” which is primarily devoted to literature and theatre. For defining art, Aristotle employed the Greek word “mimesis,” which means “imitation.” Every form of art involves an imitation of reality according to the artist’s standpoint. The artistic imitation of reality can be more or less accurate, but needs to be recognisable. A random shape on a canvas or a meaningless poem do not constitute art because they have nothing to do with reality. Art can be produced for various types of physical support. In Aristotle’s times, the main types of art were the performing arts (poetry and theatre) and the objectified arts (architecture, painting and sculpture). In later centuries, art has been produced for other physical supports such as books (novels and short stories), movies and television shows, music, opera, ballet, etc. Artistic perception is limited to the human senses (vision, sound, touch, smell and taste), but new physical supports can enrich the experience. Although movies and theatre plays are perceived exactly by the same senses, nobody would contest that movies can offer a richer experience. “Poetics” revolves around theatre plays that possess a linear structure, a single purpose, and tight temporal unity. Aristotle regarded such theatre plays as artistic archetypes. Aristotle’s preference for a strong unity of plot (for instance, stories taking place in a single location and within twenty-four hours) makes theatre plays comprehensible and cohesive. Unity of plot is the application of Aristotle’s final causation to literature, in the same way as happiness is the application of final causation to ethics. In plays, novels, movies and television shows, we all prefer tightly-knit stories. We want to read or watch narratives where the events are linked by cause-and-effect, not by serendipity. Aristotle’s artistic formula has remained valid for centuries. It has widened only when technology rendered it possible to use new physical supports. The invention of the printing press enabled the publication of novels, and the invention of moving pictures enabled the production of feature movies. Nonetheless, Aristotle’s essential insight has remained true, namely, that well-structured stories, songs, paintings, buildings and sculptures will generate a deeper emotional response. It is the artist’s task to create a structure that reflects his standpoint. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/aristotles-philosophy-of-aesthetics/