Question

Which ancient Greek philosopher believed drama could purge negative emotions from the human soul?

Answer 1

The ancient Greek philosopher who believed that drama could purge negative emotions from the human soul was Aristotle. In his work "Poetics," he discusses the concept of catharsis, which refers to the emotional cleansing or purging that an audience experiences through the witnessing of tragedy in drama. Aristotle suggested that through empathy and fear evoked by the tragic storytelling, individuals could achieve a release of these emotions, leading to a state of renewal and understanding.