Art: Science meets Philosophy

1. For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

In the “Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts” video I learned about the various ways art has been viewed and understood throughout history by different cultures and philosophers in the Western tradition. In the “CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics” I learned about the eight laws of art, how artifacts are works of art, the relationship between art and the human brain, and Ramanchandran's peak shift principle.

2. Which philosopher's theroy on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosphers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.

I think the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle theory of aesthetics is the most important because it is the first to focus on art and a particular type of artistry, the writing of tragedies. His 3 unities—plot, time, and place—offer practical advice on the writing of plays, and could be applied to other areas of artistry. Also, unlike his predecessor, Plato, Aristotle understood the importance of art and that it had a valuable place in society.

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? 

I agree with Changeux’s assertion that the artifacts of early humans are indeed works of art and comparison of people to art. Ramanchandran's peak shift principle also interested me because I felt it was almost the scientific version of Plato’s idea of pure forms. That enhanced versions of real objects can create greater responses in people is very interesting and perhaps taps into Plato’s idea of a world of “ideal forms.”

4. How do the videos and article relate to the readings in the text?

Both the videos and the text relate to each other through their exploration of the reasons why people make art--scientific and philosophical—the purpose of art, the history of art, and the various philosophical ways people have thought about art.

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?

The “CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics” film and the CNN article gave me a better understanding of the underlying scientific reasons why human being create and respond to art, while the text book and the “Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts” film go into depth about the philosophical reasons human being create art and relate to art. Together, all these sources deepen my understanding of humanity’s complex relationship with art.