Defining poetry, the building blocks of poems, the components of fine poems and the philosophy of poetry in general are the major issues in literary criticism that made the scholars and critics voice their opinions throughout history. In addition to scholars, philosophers (from Plato's age up to now) have also tried their hands in this field and expressed their viewpoints. In ancient Rome, Aristotle, as the most stylist philosopher who addressed poetry, influenced his later literary critics considerably. This influence involved Muslim philosophers as well; Ibn Rushd, Khaje Nasir Al-Din Tusi and Avicenna are among the philosophers who attempted to summarize or interpret Aristotle's Poetics (Latin: De Poetica). In doing so, they applied their personal viewpoint too. Discussion on the root causes of creating poetry in human nature, the aim of representation in poems, factors creating representation and literary types are among similar topics prevailing in the viewpoints of the three afore-mentioned philosophers.
