Art vis-à-vis Rhetoric in Farabian Utopia

In Farabian Utopia (al-Madinah al-Fadhilah), the happiness of individuals and society is due in no small part to art vs. rhetoric. The story is that the final objective of individuals and the public is to achieve intelligible happiness via comprehending intelligible truths. However, because of their habits and nature, the public cannot perceive intelligible truth. Via revelation, the prophet perceives all the truths, both in his intellect and in his imagination. Further, he knows the metaphors and analogies, through which he describes all intelligible truths and happiness.
In the second part of Farabian Utopia, there are the “religion-conveyers”, comprising missionaries, orators, poets, songwriters, writers, just to name a few. They represent intelligible happiness to public and individuals via sensory and imaginary forms as well as the power of suggestion. Incidentally, entertainment for Farabi is necessary for people’s happiness.