1. Philosophy Friday Denis Dutton

2. Agenda Denis TED Talk Quotes by Denis End Goal: Does Denis affect your beliefs on art? Does he help you gain knowledge on the arts?

3. Denis Dutton 2/9/1944-12/28/2010 Philosopher of Art Professor at University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand

4. TED Talk Denis Dutton: A Darwinian Theory of Beauty https://www.ted.com/talks/denis_dutton_a_darwini an_theory_of_beauty

5. Question 1 What were some of the main ideas of the TED Talk? What are some of your reactions to the talk?

6. Quote 1 “It’s clear on the one hand that an education enriches and informs a response to beauty, even make it possible in esoteric cases. On the other hand, there’s no question that someone with no musical education whatsoever might wander into a concert hall and be overwhelmed by the Beethoven Pastoral Symphony.” - Denis Dutton What are the implications of this quote? Do you agree with them?

7. Quote 2 “Dumbing down takes many forms: art that is good for you, museums that flatter you, universities that increase your self-esteem. Culture, after all, is really about you.” What is culture about? Why is it important to be “cultured”?