Humanties: Aesthetics
What does it mean to say that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? What does Plato think about this subjective view of beauty?
"beauty is in the eye of the beholder" means that whoever is observing gets to decide if it is beautiful or not. It means beauty doesn't exist but it is created by its own observers. Plato believes that beauty has three values which is truth, goodness, and beauty.
What is meant by the phrase "the male gaze"? How does this concept relate to the idea of creating/finding meaning in art? Provide an example.
"the male gaze" is reference the thesis that women are portrayed historically in the arts in terms of or in reference to an objectifying male viewer. In this framework, man is the one who gazes at the woman as the object of his desire. For example, in the movie, the postman always rings twice, the camera angles pan towards her body more, to show the beauty of it. This goes back to how certain art can please our senses.
What is the process Diotima outlines for how we come to appreciate beauty? How is this explanation linked to the appreciation of beauty in art?
Diotima explains that we should first appreciate beautiful things such as a specific beautiful body. We are then lead to love greater beauties. When you love a man or woman you eventually see that man or woman are worthy of love. There is a natural sense of when you love objects, you think resemble to what you love, then you are worthy of love.
What is Aesthetics? What does someone mean when they say an experience is "aesthetically pleasing"?
Aesthetics refers to the philosophy of art and the philosophy of beauty. When someone says "Aesthetically pleasing" it means it pleases the senses because it is so beautiful.
According to Hegel, how do we find meaning in a work of art? According to Kant, how do we find meaning in a work of art? Are these ideas mutually exclusive? Use Mark Rothko's art as an example in your explanation.
Hegel believes we find the meaning of a work of art through historical context. Kant believes we find the meaning of a work of art through cultures and time periods. Mark Rothko painted simple paintings that was left to us observers to find meaning of it.
What are the definitions of imagination and creativity according to Taliferro? What is implied about a "good" work of art when using these definitions?
Imagination is when one imagines or possess an image of objects not wholly evident in sensation. Creativity is the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.Imagination and creativity can help people find value in art work and develop a lot of depth about it.
Explain the definition of art as aesthetic experience provided by Charles Taliaferro in chapter 2. What are some logical problems associated with the view of art as aesthetic experience?
In order to have an aesthetic experience, one needs to step back or detach oneself from the urgency and practical preoccupations of life. A logical problem with this is that making an aesthetic experience does not seem to be a necessary condition for an object be a work of art. Another problem with this is that the concept of an aesthetic experience is completely vague.
Explain what is meant by the "Intentional Fallacy" as described by Wimsatt and Beardsley. Provide an example of a work of art as part of your explanation of the fallacy.
Intentional Fallacy argued that art criticism should not focus on the life and intentions of the author. For example, artists like Andy Warhol get so involved with their art that it is difficult to separate art and artist.
12. How is Leni Riefenstahl's film Triumph of the Will connected with the debate of good and evil in art? How does this relate to the idea of autonomism?
It is a good work of art because of its creativity and originality even though it is considered a horrible time period to be alive in. It shows truth and this is important for today's century. It relates to automatism because the film moved people to realize the wrong.
What important 19th century author discussed the idea of art as communication of feeling? How does this definition of art as communication solve the problems of the definition of art as mimesis/imitation?
Leo Tolstoy thinks of art as a way to communicate something. This definition of art can mean that art is merely imitating reality. Plato explains that art imitates ordinary life.
According to Iris Murdoch and Guy Sircello, what is the importance of beauty? How does this link with Plato's ideas of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness?
Murdoch believes that beauty is convenient and a traditional name of something which art and beauty share. It can even change your consciousness at the moment. Sircello believes that loving beauty is very important and without it, we would be significantly unhappy. This links with plato's ideas because both concepts help us understand that love is special and shows us that we are worthy to love things
How does appreciating Beauty "expand [our] identity"?
When we love something, or give someone else, a part of them o the object you may love resembles you. For example, if I were to say I love science, and I want to become a scientist, this shows that I appreciate the beauty of science. It's something I like to practice and do in my free time. Therefore, it is a part of me.
