Literature and Moral Feeling

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The exploration of ethics in literature reveals a longstanding tension between moral guidance and artistic expression. Historical figures like Plato advocated for censorship to ensure literature fostered ethical citizens, while Medieval Muslim theorists emphasized literature's role in cultivating Islamic virtues. In contrast, some traditions, such as ancient Sanskrit and Confucian thought, celebrate literature's ability to teach virtue and stimulate self-reflection, suggesting a more balanced relationship between ethics and literary expression.