Aesthetics: general Introduction 1. What is aesthetics? Etymology Although Greek in origin (aisthetikos - pertaining to sense perception), the word was first introduced into philosophical discourse in 1735 by Gottlieb Baumgarten (1714-1762). Aesthetics: general introduction - 1

Aesthetics: general Introduction Baumgarten used the word to refer to the general science of perception, & he treated “poetics” as a branch of aesthetics. Contemporary usage - 3 senses 1. That aspect of anything which is beautiful or elegant 2. The theory behind an art-historical movement Aesthetics: general introduction - 2

Aesthetics: general Introduction 3. The philosophy of art A formal df. of philosophical aesthetics: “the critical and systematic reflection on fundamental questions about art.” How philosophical aesthetics differs from art appreciation and art history. Aesthetics: general introduction - 3

Aesthetics: general Introduction Principal questions of philosophical aesthetics The 2 principal ones What is art? What is good art? Other questions * Truth in art Creativity Aesthetics: general introduction - 4

Aesthetics: general Introduction * Interpretation of works of art * Theories of beauty * Art & morality Art & religion Art & science * The philosophy of the history of art Aesthetics: general introduction - 5

Aesthetics: general Introduction * High & low art * Art criticism (the evaluation of art) * The value of art Aesthetics: general introduction - 6

Aesthetics: general Introduction 2. The concept of the fine arts The project of Shiner's book: the exploration of the notion of art and its evolution A reworking and expansion of ideas in Paul Oskar Kristeller's classic essay of 1950.   (Renaissance Thought and the Arts.   (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990)). Aesthetics: general introduction - 7

Aesthetics: general Introduction Problems which led Shiner to this project How should African masks & medieval chalices be treated in museums?  What kind of a museum should they appear in?  What about quilts & fine furniture?   Shiner's position:  The modern system of the arts is "not an essence or a fate," but something we have made (3).  Aesthetics: general introduction - 8

Aesthetics: general Introduction Shiner's periodization of Western history from the viewpoint of systems of the arts (roughly):   1.  From ancient Greece to the 18th century -- no fundamental divisions  Divisions of what?   2.  18th century to middle 20th century -- "the great division"  Aesthetics: general introduction - 9

Aesthetics: general Introduction The contemporary system of the arts is "a recent historical construction" (5). 3.  Late 20th century continuing into the 21st century -- a new system Shiner states a number of times that he is not asserting what ought to be with respect to a new system.  But does he remain faithful to this claim. Aesthetics: general introduction - 10

Aesthetics: general Introduction What are the divisions which occurred in the 18th century?          Answer in terms of 3 levels         (1) art object         (2) artist         (3) experience of art Aesthetics: general introduction - 11

Aesthetics: general Introduction Shiner notes that most chapters in his book are organized around these three.  Shiner refers to his position as anti-essentialist & compares it to Arthur Danto's essentialism (15).   What does Shiner mean by essentialist & anti-essentialist? For Hugh of St. Victor, the mechanical arts belonged, with the exception of poetry & music, to craftsmen’s guilds. Thus they were not taught in the schools. There is no medieval concept of a system of the fine arts. Aesthetics: general introduction - 12

Aesthetics: general Introduction What is the system of the arts today?     3. The value of philosophical aesthetics It is central to being human (Or is it? See Jared Diamond essay) Enhances one’s understanding and appreciation of the fine arts, & this in turn enriches life Enables one to distinguish between good and bad art For Hugh of St. Victor, the mechanical arts belonged, with the exception of poetry & music, to craftsmen’s guilds. Thus they were not taught in the schools. There is no medieval concept of a system of the fine arts. Aesthetics: general introduction - 13

Aesthetics: general Introduction Jared Diamond (“Animal Origins of Art,” in The Third Chimpanzee, 1992) on the origins of art Emerged c. 40,000 yrs. ago Is art uniquely human? Chimp paintings For Hugh of St. Victor, the mechanical arts belonged, with the exception of poetry & music, to craftsmen’s guilds. Thus they were not taught in the schools. There is no medieval concept of a system of the fine arts. Aesthetics: general introduction - 14

Aesthetics: general Introduction Bowerbirds building of bowers Purpose? To attract mates. Do humans create works of art purely for disinterested contemplation? Diamond: Humans create art because it has survival value and helps pass on genes. For Hugh of St. Victor, the mechanical arts belonged, with the exception of poetry & music, to craftsmen’s guilds. Thus they were not taught in the schools. There is no medieval concept of a system of the fine arts. Aesthetics: general introduction - 15

Aesthetics: general Introduction Thus in its origins, human art probably had a biological function. An important caveat: Behaviors expand beyond their original functions. The creation of works of art has expanded well beyond its original purposes. For Hugh of St. Victor, the mechanical arts belonged, with the exception of poetry & music, to craftsmen’s guilds. Thus they were not taught in the schools. There is no medieval concept of a system of the fine arts. Aesthetics: general introduction - 16