Stephen Davies
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199202423
- eISBN:
- 9780191708541
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199202423.003.0017
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Aesthetics
This chapter challenges the Expression Theory: a work of art expresses an emotion just in case the artist experienced the emotion and displayed this in her work. Artworks are not expressive in the ...
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This chapter challenges the Expression Theory: a work of art expresses an emotion just in case the artist experienced the emotion and displayed this in her work. Artworks are not expressive in the way required by this theory; they do not betray or symptomize the artist's emotions as her primary expressions, such as tears or groans do. Nevertheless, the work of art can be a secondary expression of the artist's feelings: the artist's feeling is expressed through its creation, though this need not carry over into an expressiveness that can be perceived in the work. And it can be a tertiary expression of the artist's feeling, involving the use of public conventions or rituals for expression. But art can also be expressive of emotions no one feels. One form of self-expression by artists involves their appropriating art's independently expressive character to match, and thereby give sophisticated expression to, their own affective states.Less
This chapter challenges the Expression Theory: a work of art expresses an emotion just in case the artist experienced the emotion and displayed this in her work. Artworks are not expressive in the way required by this theory; they do not betray or symptomize the artist's emotions as her primary expressions, such as tears or groans do. Nevertheless, the work of art can be a secondary expression of the artist's feelings: the artist's feeling is expressed through its creation, though this need not carry over into an expressiveness that can be perceived in the work. And it can be a tertiary expression of the artist's feeling, involving the use of public conventions or rituals for expression. But art can also be expressive of emotions no one feels. One form of self-expression by artists involves their appropriating art's independently expressive character to match, and thereby give sophisticated expression to, their own affective states.
Martin H. Redish
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780804772150
- eISBN:
- 9780804786348
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Stanford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.11126/stanford/9780804772150.001.0001
- Subject:
- Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law
The book presents a unique and controversial rethinking of the intersection between modern American democratic theory and free expression. Most free speech scholars view freedom of expression as a ...
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The book presents a unique and controversial rethinking of the intersection between modern American democratic theory and free expression. Most free speech scholars view freedom of expression as a vehicle for fostering democracy. However, most do so by relying upon communitarian, cooperative or collectivist democratic theories. This book reshapes free speech as an outgrowth of adversary democracy, arguing that individuals should have the opportunity to affect the outcomes of collective decision-making according to their own personal values and interests. Adversary democracy recognizes the inevitability of conflict within a democratic society, as well as the need for regulation of the conflict to prevent the onset of tyranny. In doing so, it embraces pluralism, diversity and individual growth and developmentLess
The book presents a unique and controversial rethinking of the intersection between modern American democratic theory and free expression. Most free speech scholars view freedom of expression as a vehicle for fostering democracy. However, most do so by relying upon communitarian, cooperative or collectivist democratic theories. This book reshapes free speech as an outgrowth of adversary democracy, arguing that individuals should have the opportunity to affect the outcomes of collective decision-making according to their own personal values and interests. Adversary democracy recognizes the inevitability of conflict within a democratic society, as well as the need for regulation of the conflict to prevent the onset of tyranny. In doing so, it embraces pluralism, diversity and individual growth and development
Jane Forsey
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199964369
- eISBN:
- 9780199333233
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199964369.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Aesthetics, General
Chapter One provides an ontology of design that distinguishes it from art and craft as a specific kind of object with unique characteristics. A critical engagement with traditional formalist and ...
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Chapter One provides an ontology of design that distinguishes it from art and craft as a specific kind of object with unique characteristics. A critical engagement with traditional formalist and expression theories of art demonstrate that design cannot be theorized in the same manner as the fine arts, or craft. Design, instead, is primarily functional, meant to be used rather than contemplated, and is distinct from art in particular because of its lack of profundity and originality, or because of its familiarity and quiddity. The properties that characterize design as unique also indicate that it is a candidate for aesthetic appraisal that merits separate attention.Less
Chapter One provides an ontology of design that distinguishes it from art and craft as a specific kind of object with unique characteristics. A critical engagement with traditional formalist and expression theories of art demonstrate that design cannot be theorized in the same manner as the fine arts, or craft. Design, instead, is primarily functional, meant to be used rather than contemplated, and is distinct from art in particular because of its lack of profundity and originality, or because of its familiarity and quiddity. The properties that characterize design as unique also indicate that it is a candidate for aesthetic appraisal that merits separate attention.
Tom Cochrane
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- December 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780192848819
- eISBN:
- 9780191944055
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0009
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Aesthetics
This chapter presents Aestheticism as a general approach to life. It is argued that a dedicated aestheticist will be inspired to create works of art. In alignment with this view an aesthetic ...
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This chapter presents Aestheticism as a general approach to life. It is argued that a dedicated aestheticist will be inspired to create works of art. In alignment with this view an aesthetic functionalist account of art is defended, incorporating aspects of the expression theory of art and the cognitive theory of art. It is then suggested that the way an artist creatively responds to the value of the world is an ideal of living well. Moreover, although there are other such ideals, the artistic paradigm can apply to a variety of human activities, including the pursuit and expression of one’s understanding (as in philosophy). In the latter part of the chapter it is then argued that, in distilling aesthetic values, the artist has an important social role to play. Artworks help us to discern value ideals, and our capacity to discern values is a vital component of virtue.Less
This chapter presents Aestheticism as a general approach to life. It is argued that a dedicated aestheticist will be inspired to create works of art. In alignment with this view an aesthetic functionalist account of art is defended, incorporating aspects of the expression theory of art and the cognitive theory of art. It is then suggested that the way an artist creatively responds to the value of the world is an ideal of living well. Moreover, although there are other such ideals, the artistic paradigm can apply to a variety of human activities, including the pursuit and expression of one’s understanding (as in philosophy). In the latter part of the chapter it is then argued that, in distilling aesthetic values, the artist has an important social role to play. Artworks help us to discern value ideals, and our capacity to discern values is a vital component of virtue.
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226662749
- eISBN:
- 9780226662756
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226662756.003.0009
- Subject:
- History, History of Ideas
This chapter discusses three challenges to the free expression theory that led to the threefold clash of intellectual and moral options. First, the program of civic self-discipline and sublimation ...
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This chapter discusses three challenges to the free expression theory that led to the threefold clash of intellectual and moral options. First, the program of civic self-discipline and sublimation derived from Greco-Roman norms and practiced by English-speaking gentlemen from Locke to Smith to Mill to Holmes is largely in wreckage. Second, postmodernism heralds the breaking of old dams of social and cultural segregation. Third, the credo that anything is permitted because everything in the end advances the public good looks dubious, and the theodicy that pain always bears fruit seems indecent. Modern scientific rationality requires a self capable of impartiality and abstraction. Postmodern cultural relativism stems from the overwhelming blurring of genres and the viral spread of images. Moral absolutism or “fundamentalism” is sick and tired of a patient or solicitous approach to wickedness and crime.Less
This chapter discusses three challenges to the free expression theory that led to the threefold clash of intellectual and moral options. First, the program of civic self-discipline and sublimation derived from Greco-Roman norms and practiced by English-speaking gentlemen from Locke to Smith to Mill to Holmes is largely in wreckage. Second, postmodernism heralds the breaking of old dams of social and cultural segregation. Third, the credo that anything is permitted because everything in the end advances the public good looks dubious, and the theodicy that pain always bears fruit seems indecent. Modern scientific rationality requires a self capable of impartiality and abstraction. Postmodern cultural relativism stems from the overwhelming blurring of genres and the viral spread of images. Moral absolutism or “fundamentalism” is sick and tired of a patient or solicitous approach to wickedness and crime.
