Philosophy
Beauty has been a central and enduring concept in the philosophy of art and aesthetics since its inception in ancient Greece. During the last few centuries, however, and due in large part to geopolitical, philosophical, religious, economic, and scientific revolutions, other aspects of art have come to dominate the aesthetic world.
Among the most radical?and, some might argue, the most pernicious?is the postmodernist critique of objectivity in aesthetic judgments. This school of thought sees much art as an affirmation of European elitist attitudes driven by imperialistic and capitalistic motives. Unsurprisingly, a lot of postmodern conceptual art can best be understood as a reaction to the older and more traditional aesthetic norms.
Conservative philosopher Roger Scruton believes that postmodernism has gone too far, and that it has created a culture of fake originality where desecration and shock value for the sake of shock value have become the new norm. In his opinion, beauty must regain its former centrality in art because art must play a redeeming and inspiring role.
Let this be the start of a fascinating dialogue and conceptual exploration. :)
- Is Beauty An Ethical Notion?
Beauty enhances life. A life lived surrounded by beauty is a better life than one not. Does this mean that beauty is a moral concept? Do we have an obligation to make the world more beautiful if we can? Do we have a moral duty to create beauty?...
- Peroxide Makes The Art Grow Blonder
As usual, amazing questions again this time. There were a couple of questions about aesthetics, the philosophy of art. BKriplur asks, Has anyone applied analytic philosophy to art criticism? Yes. The most famous analytic figures in aesthetics are probably...
- What?s The Point Of Arguing About Art?
We?ve all been witness to the following type of conversation: Anthony: Have you heard the new so and so album? Maria: Yea, it?s wack. So and so is falling off. Anthony: You?re trippin?. Did you listen to track 10? It?s fire. Maria: Yea, I listened. That...
- Miss Usa Contestants On Evolution
Let's be honest: beauty pageants are about how hot the contestants are. I won't pass judgment on whether this is morally acceptable or reprehensible, but since I once dated a beauty pageant contestant, I may be a bit biased anyway :) What I do...
- Denis Dutton - A Darwinian Theory Of Beauty
One of the most difficult topics to explore and think about in philosophy has to do with questions of aesthetics. If we ignore boring and annoying platitudes like 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' (and I swear I'll strangle the next time...
Philosophy
Roger Scruton - Why Beauty Matters
Among the most radical?and, some might argue, the most pernicious?is the postmodernist critique of objectivity in aesthetic judgments. This school of thought sees much art as an affirmation of European elitist attitudes driven by imperialistic and capitalistic motives. Unsurprisingly, a lot of postmodern conceptual art can best be understood as a reaction to the older and more traditional aesthetic norms.
Conservative philosopher Roger Scruton believes that postmodernism has gone too far, and that it has created a culture of fake originality where desecration and shock value for the sake of shock value have become the new norm. In his opinion, beauty must regain its former centrality in art because art must play a redeeming and inspiring role.
Let this be the start of a fascinating dialogue and conceptual exploration. :)
- Is Beauty An Ethical Notion?
Beauty enhances life. A life lived surrounded by beauty is a better life than one not. Does this mean that beauty is a moral concept? Do we have an obligation to make the world more beautiful if we can? Do we have a moral duty to create beauty?...
- Peroxide Makes The Art Grow Blonder
As usual, amazing questions again this time. There were a couple of questions about aesthetics, the philosophy of art. BKriplur asks, Has anyone applied analytic philosophy to art criticism? Yes. The most famous analytic figures in aesthetics are probably...
- What?s The Point Of Arguing About Art?
We?ve all been witness to the following type of conversation: Anthony: Have you heard the new so and so album? Maria: Yea, it?s wack. So and so is falling off. Anthony: You?re trippin?. Did you listen to track 10? It?s fire. Maria: Yea, I listened. That...
- Miss Usa Contestants On Evolution
Let's be honest: beauty pageants are about how hot the contestants are. I won't pass judgment on whether this is morally acceptable or reprehensible, but since I once dated a beauty pageant contestant, I may be a bit biased anyway :) What I do...
- Denis Dutton - A Darwinian Theory Of Beauty
One of the most difficult topics to explore and think about in philosophy has to do with questions of aesthetics. If we ignore boring and annoying platitudes like 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' (and I swear I'll strangle the next time...