The Sublime and the Pantheon
The beginnings of the search for sublime beauty which starts at seeing the Pantheon
Expanded Perceptions of Architecture
A reflection upon my greater abilities to perceive architecture
Why Should Artists Study Aesthetics?
First post of a new blog I started. This blog is focused specifically on my philosophy and my dance and how they mix and match. The post is supporting the study of aesthetics in the artist’s learning.
- So here's a follow-up question:
- So personally, I understand the idea that context can increase appreciation, but I wonder if the appreciation derived from context whether it's historical, cultural, a technical feat, a breakthrough etc, ceases to be an aesthetic appreciation and turns into another kind, a non-aesthetic type of appreciation. For example, when one appreciates the Impressionists for breaking away from the old traditions and reigning in the new modern art world, is that aesthetic appreciation or historical appreciation? When a piece of art work represents cultural values, such as that of Tchaikovsky, and one appreciates it for its reminder of pride in the culture, is that aesthetic appreciation? When one admires a new post-modern work for doing something in a new way, is that an appreciation of innovation or aesthetics? When a ballet dancer does a quintuple pirouette, is that aesthetic appreciation or technical appreciation? I kind of feel like there is a distinction between aesthetic appreciation and non-aesthetic appreciation. (Not that non-aesthetic appreciation is necessarily a bad thing, just trying to make a distinction.) I am not quite talking about artistic-intentionality and whether or not we should be interpreting a piece of art according to the artist's intentions. I'm not talking about interpretation at all really, just appreciation.
- I know that I have some artist followers and some appreciators of art. As some of you may know, I am both a dance and philosophy major in college. Something that I have been interested in lately is the debate in aesthetics as to whether or not aesthetic appreciation is just a state of mind or it needs some kind of context. For example, in order to appreciate a piece of ancient Greek art, do I need to know the context of why it was created and at what time it was created to appreciate it, or can I just simply look at it for just visual pleasure to appreciate it?
- I have been dying to conversate with someone about this for quite some time.
Equal Opportunity for Welfare
This is a paper I wrote for my Political Philosophy class. I thought due to all this pre-election hype, that it might be relevant, and if not, should be interesting. It’s an application of the political philosophy of equal opportunity for welfare to some current situations.
Ordinary readers, forgive my paradoxes: one must make them when one reflects; and whatever you may say, I prefer being a man with paradoxes than a man with prejudices.
— Jean-Jacques Rousseau
It is unnatural for a majority to rule, for a majority can seldom be organized and united for specific action, and a minority can.
— Jean-Jacques Rousseau
6.8 Billion Languages and Growing
Have you ever had the experience where you’re speaking with someone about your views on something and they just cannot seem to understand? Does this conversation usually turn into an argument where you’re both tired of the other person and upset?
This is just a bit of reflection as to how we can solve these issues society faces
The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.
— Heraclitus
