Art as Viewed by Philosophy

Study Notes

Philosophy is defined as the "love of wisdom", focusing on understanding fundamental truths about existence and relationships.
Aesthetics is the philosophical study of beauty and taste, serving as a foundation for analyzing and evaluating art.

Expression: Both artists and philosophers express their understanding of the world; artists use artwork while philosophers utilize theories.
Questioning: Both fields explore profound questions about reality, meaning, and beauty.
Exploration: Art and philosophy engage with ideas, perspectives, and experiences rather than solely seeking answers.

Influential Ancient Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, and teacher of Aristotle.
Introduced the concept that the physical world is an imperfect copy of eternal Forms (Ideas).
Believed that artists create copies of these Forms and have the skill to produce nearly perfect representations.
In "The Republic", Plato argued that art imitates ordinary life, making it a lesser reflection of truth, which can mislead people.
Art is considered an illusion, serving primarily as entertainment but potentially harmful.
Recognized art's emotional power, stating it can influence behavior and character.

Ancient Greek philosopher, student of Plato, regarded as the father of Modern Aesthetics.
Distinguished between the good and the beautiful; goodness manifests in actions, while beauty exists in static objects, illustrated by order, symmetry, and definiteness.
Viewed art as an imitation of nature, emphasizing that artists should focus on accurate representations of the natural world.
Identified three types of imitations in poetry, which capture actual events, probable scenarios, and essential truths.

Prominent Enlightenment philosopher from Germany.
Authored “Observations on the Feelings of the Beautiful and the Sublime,” discussing the subjective and universal aspects of beauty.
Asserted that taste is subjective, relying on individual emotional responses, while universal taste transcends personal preferences and focuses on the artwork's broader impact.