Plato, truth, and art.

So I just finished Plato's republic and in book 10 he brings up an interesting point about art. A lot of paraphrasing to follow.

His basic premise is this. Art is three orders removed from the truth. The example he used was a table. First there is the truth of what a table is, it's essence if you will, the universal truth of what a table is. 2nd there is the table created by the craftsman, it is a table but not the truth of a table. Lastly there is the painting of the table Wich is simply a representation of a table, it's not a table but a painting first and table second. So it's three orders removed from the truth.

He goes on to talk about the poets how they make us feel emotions that don't exist. We indulge in these emotions filling up the vessel to where we respond with these emotions in life. It gives us a false sense of knowing or understanding.
I think the best way to look at it is war. We write about war, most of us without any actual experience, thinking we understand and at the same time impart understanding, and the emotions to the audience. However the truth is we will never understand until we experience it. So it is three orders removed from the truth of war, it's a painting of a war, it's not the actual war, nor is it the truth of war. It feeds the emotions without truth.

I paraphrased a lot, I recommend reading the book for a better understanding, or spark notes. I can't argue with Socrates premise, what he says it true.

I do think there is value in art, poetry, and fiction, I can't think of a counter argument though.

I'm really curious to know what you think. Do you think your writing imparts truth? Socrates says he would change his opinion if someone can make the argument.