lecture 2 Beauty, Objectivism and Subjectivism in Aesthetics

In the Eye of the Beholder: Beauty, Objectivism and Subjectivism

Definitions of Objectivism and Subjectivism in Aesthetics

  • Objectivist View of Beauty:

    • Some things are inherently beautiful or ugly, regardless of personal opinion.

  • Subjectivist View of Beauty:

    • The beauty of an object is contingent on an individual’s perception; it is subject to personal opinion.

Historical Context of Aesthetic Theories

  • Dominance of Subjectivism:

    • In contemporary philosophy, subjectivist theories prevail, influencing mainstream thought.

  • Historical Dominance of Objectivism:

    • Ancient and medieval philosophies primarily endorsed objectivism.

Classical Objectivism

  • Classical View of Beauty:

    • Beautiful objects possess specific objective properties that confer their beauty.

    • Common concepts include:

      • The Golden Ratio: A mathematical ratio commonly found in nature that is believed to be aesthetically pleasing.

      • The Canon of Polykleitos: A set of ideal proportions used in Greek sculpture.

Reasons for Objectivism's Appeal

  • Consensus on Beauty:

    • There is significant agreement on perceptions of beauty across cultures and times.

  • Nature of Beauty Statements:

    • Statements about beauty typically reflect properties of the object rather than subjective feelings of the observer.

    • Augustine's Dilemma:

      • Are things beautiful because they provide delight, or do they provide delight because they are beautiful?

      • The latter perspective is often seen as more compelling.

Objective Elements of Beauty

  • Importance of Objective Inquiry:

    • Although the exploration does not center on any definitive objectivist theory, understanding the rationale behind objectivist thinking is crucial.

The Concept of the Aesthetic

Definition of Aesthetic Theory

  • Aesthetic Theory:

    • A description of the origins and nature of aesthetic values, properties, and judgments.

Understanding Aesthetic

  • Core Concept:

    • The foundational idea is beauty, but related value judgments exist that are not moral (e.g., ethereal, whimsical, lush vs. ridiculous, gross, vulgar).

Types of Aesthetic Theories

  1. Judgment Theories:

    • Judgments of aesthetic properties arise from a special sense or aesthetic sensibility.

    • Example: Kant – Aesthetic judgments are made through immediate perception of beauty.

  2. Attitude Theories:

    • Value emerges from an attitude of disinterested contemplation, where practical concerns are set aside to appreciate objects authentically.

    • Example: Schopenhauer – Emphasizes aesthetic contemplation over judgment.

  3. Experience Theories:

    • Aesthetic value is derived from the emotions or experiences elicited by certain objects or phenomena.

    • Example: Clive Bell – Suggests that a specific aesthetic emotion characterizes valuable aesthetic experiences.

Aesthetic Terminology Evolution and Theories

Eighteenth Century Aesthetic Theories

  • The term Aesthetic emerged in the philosophical lexicon; it encapsulates judgments, attitudes, experiences, qualities, objects, and values.

  • Early aesthetic theories were primarily judgment theories, aiming to counteract rationalist theories of beauty.

Rationalist Theories of Beauty

  • Rationalist Theory:

    • Assumes judgments of beauty are made through logical reasoning after analyzing principles or rules.

British Empiricist Correctives

  • Key Figures:

    • Shaftesbury, Hutcheson, Hume: Formulated theories opposing rationalism, positing that beauty is perceived directly rather than inferred.

  • Taste vs. Judgment:

    • British empiricists elucidated that aesthetic judgments should be understood as immediate sensory impressions, not rational deductions.

Internal Sense of Taste

  • Internal Sense:

    • The faculty of taste, according to empiricists, arises from internal cognitive processes, differing from external senses.

  • Relation to Moral Judgments:

    • Hume posited that moral judgments are also internal, drawing parallels to aesthetic judgments.

Kant's Contribution

  • Kant on Aesthetic Judgments:

    • Illustrated that pleasure derived from beauty is disinterested; it does not motivate action unlike moral judgments.

  • Disinterestedness Defined:

    • Referring to pleasure in beauty that does not entail practical motivation; aesthetic pleasure is contemplative.

Challenges to Aesthetic Theories

Danto’s Objections

  • Arthur Danto's Argument:

    • Suggested that aesthetic theories cannot account for the value of art due to perceptual indiscernibility between non-art and art objects, as shown through Warhol's Brillo Boxes.

Reexamination of Forms in Aesthetic Theory

  • Beardsley's Framework:

    • Identified a connection between aesthetic experience and the formal properties of objects, contributing to the general aesthetic theory prioritizing experiences of form as core to aesthetic value.

Conclusion

  • The landscape of aesthetic philosophy showcases the evolution from firm judgments about taste to complex interrelations involving internal senses, moral values, and experience processes.

  • Today, aesthetic theories continue to evolve, addressing challenges posed by contemporary philosophical critiques, particularly around the nature and value of art within aesthetic discourse.