Module #2 Question and Answers:
1. For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Video: Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts
There are a couple of key concepts I learned from this video. The main concept I learned is the concept of aesthetics in art, where it came from, and what it means. The video spends a good deal of time addressing the specific aesthetic understanding that the different philosophers uphold. The video discussed how each philosopher formed a process in which art can be labeled, judged, critiqued, and absorbed. The video defines the term aesthetics as the philosophical study of beauty and art. Philosophical studies rely on addressing problems through a systematic approach based largely on rational arguments. Aesthetics as it pertains to art can be stated as a collection of rational arguments developed though a systematic approach that addresses beauty and art. Attempts are made to describe how different types of art make people feel good and how other types of art make people feel bad. The philosophers in the video seem to try to create structure to the different types of art. They try to define what qualifies as art and what does not. Even furthermore they state what type of art is morally good and what type of art is morally bad. They discuss how art should be appreciated and judged. In my own words the aesthetics of art is a person’s attempt to quantify and define a particular work as it appears to them.
Video: CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics
The concept of this video was the science of art. Two separate lecturers were shown. They both presented their understanding of how the human brain processes art. One lecturer based his analysis on brain scans while the other based his analysis primarily on detailed observations. The over-all theme was to determine exactly what is the science behind art and how can we classify it.
Article: What the brain draws from: Art and neuroscience
The key concept of this article is the relationship between the human brain and the perception of different artistic methods. It examines the human brain and how it interprets the different colors, lines, shadows, and the like. Artists take advantage of these known tendencies in their art. This area is studied and is called neuroesthetics. This field is emerging and I think will yield a wealth of information. It will tell us why we react to visual stimuli in a particular way. I can see this data being used in art and in other areas such as advertising.
2. Which philosopher's theory on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosophers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.
I feel Kant has the most important theory on aesthetics. Kant lived from 1724 until 1804 and was a German philosopher. His major contribution to the aesthetic theory was two works titled Critique of Judgment and Critique of Practical Reason. In the second paper Kant stated that in the aesthetic experience sensibility and reason are brought together. He stated judgment of the beautiful is not rule bound but is in fact based on the individual’s feelings. Therefore, the beautiful cannot be judged based on a set of rules but can be shared by many. This line of thought is important because it marks the beginning of allowing the rules of art to be governed by feelings and not by structural rules. These concepts also are in line with my perception of the aesthetics of art. I too feel art is beautiful if you feel it is and not because it meets some predefined set of rules.
3. What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speakers lecture?
Changeux's scientific view of aesthetics is based on the analysis of brain scans. Changeux utilizes the brain images extensively to interpret how a person it digesting a visual image. He can correlate the activity in the brain to the biological process we go through while viewing art. This analysis of aesthetics is almost too scientific and I prefer the second lecturers scientific view. The most interesting fact learned from Changeux is that the human brain takes fifteen years to develop
Ramachandran's scientific view of aesthetics follows eight laws. His analysis is based on observations of how people respond to certain stimuli. He goes through hie eight laws and gives examples of each. Ramachandran uses nature to describe how we process visual images and then how this processing can be links to art. He stated the goal of art is to create distortions of images to create pleasing effects on the human brain. I agree with this view and I can identify with it. I like how he makes the connection to evolutionary traits as a source to how we process visual images. The most interesting fact I learned from Ramachandran was that the human brain uses thirty different areas for visual processing because it is so complex.
4. How do the videos and article relate to the readings in the text?
The first three chapters in the text deal with defining visual arts and providing examples. The text describes the areas of art, types of artists, motivation for creativity, and the reasons artist create their works. The video on aesthetics lends to the text in that is compliments the categorization of art. The aesthetics video shows how the philosophers over the years have developed a framework for art. The text shows how specific works fit into the framework of today. The CNN article ties in with the text nicely as well. The CNN article helped me understand why artists utilized specific techniques of specific works. It helped me to understand the works presented in the text from a technical viewpoint rather than an emotional one.
5. What is your opinion of the films and article? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading in the text?
I thought the film on aesthetics had good content but the presentation was mediocre. The information on aesthetics and how it pertains to art is valuable. The video was not exactly a class "A" theatrical performance but it did cover the topic well. It helped me to understand the text better by allowing me to know how art came to be categorized as it is today. It also helped me understand why the text described the works as it did. The CNN article was the most interesting to me. I found the links between the science of the human brain and art to be very informational. It actually helped me better understand how I view art and why I feel things to be appealing. The CARTA video on neurobiology was better than the aesthetics video. I think this is because I enjoy science and this lends a scientific perspective to art. This video offered some of the same benefits as the CNN article. It allowed me to understand the nature of the human brain as it pertains to art and visual images. The second lecturer Ramachandran was much more interesting than Changeux. Ramachandran used humor to keep my attention and provided a wealth of good information on the science of art with his eight rules.
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