The two purposes of art in Aristotle's worldview are

• A. Pleasure and instruction.
• B. Utility and wealth.
• C. Deception and entertainment.
• D. Political power and ritual.

Answer: (A)

Aristotle saw art as a form of imitation that both delights and teaches. The pleasure comes from engaging with beauty, order, and the emotional resonance of a well-constructed representation. At the same time, art provides instruction by revealing patterns of human behavior—how characters act, the consequences of their choices, and insights into virtue and vice—so audiences can reflect and learn. The other options miss this combination: art isn’t primarily about utility or wealth, deception, or mere entertainment, nor is it defined by political power or ritual. Pleasure and instruction together capture how Aristotle valued art’s impact on both feeling and understanding.