Philosophical Perspectives

1. ART AS MIMESIS - PLATO

Mimetic Theory of Art:

Art is essentially an imitation of nature.

In the Republic, Plato says that art imitates the objects and events
of ordinary life. In other words, a work of art is a copy of a copy of
a Form. It is even more of an illusion than is ordinary experience.
On this theory, works of art are at best entertainment, and at
worst a dangerous delusion.

What does Plato think of art?

https://youtu.be/YcYbH5X7MpQ
For Plato, art, especially poetry, clouds rationality
because it rouses emotions and feelings. It leads
man away from the cultivation of intellect.

Therefore, art was useless and potentially

dangerous.

Reflection: We have already learned that art is not useless.

But can ar t be dangerous? The danger that Plato is
referring to is not physical danger, but danger to the
intellect. It can be dangerous because it has the power to
change your beliefs, values, feelings, and thoughts.

Have you encountered art that is dangerous?

2. ART AS A REPRESENTATION - Aristotle

Aristotle, a student of Plato, agreed that art is indeed a form of

imitation. But for him art aids in revealing the truth instead of
being dangerous.

Art does not reflect reality as it is but provides a vision of what

might be, a representation of the possible versions of reality.

Aristotle, unlike Plato, believed that while art does appeal to the more
unruly side of humanity, the encouragement of these animalistic
characteristics is beneficial to society because through experiencing
art, particularly tragedy, the people would experience a catharsis, or a
purgation, which would rid them of their dangerous emotions.

So what was Plato's philosphy of art?

https://youtu.be/HX_Le2eM4CE
 For Aristotle, art serves two purposes:

1. Art allows for the experience of pleasure

2. Art has the ability to be instructive and
teach the audience about life.

Reflection: We can all agree that the experience of art usually

gives us pleasure. In fact, this is sometimes the reason why we
seek it out, to experience the pleasure that it gives.

But how does art become instructive? Again, Aristotle does not
mean instructive in the practical sense like how some books
teach us to make things. It is instructive in a way that because
we are detached from it, we are able to learn from it and see
things in different perspectives.

Have you encountered art that has been instructive for you?
3. ART AS A COMMUNICATION OF EMOTION
– Leo Tolstoy

For Tolstoy, art serves as a language, a

communication device that articulates
feelings and emotions from artist to audience

Art serves as a mechanism for social unity. It

makes accessible feelings and emotions of
people from the past and present, from all
parts of the world.
The Third of May, Francisco Goya, Oil on canvas 1814
Reflection: Look at the painting, The Third of May. The man in
the middle wearing white is the focal point of the painting. He
has his arms raised - is it in surrender? What is he saying? Does
he plead with the soldiers to stop shooting them? Is he
sacrificing himself for his companions? Why are these people
being killed?

This is a painting by the Spanish painter Francisco Goya about

historic events that took place in Spain after they were occupied
by the French. On the May 3, 1808, Spanish freedom fighters
were massacred for rebelling against the incoming French power.

Does this historical event resonate with you as a Filipino? Has

this ever happened to us, in our history?

As a Filipino, whose country suffered under the Spanish rule for

33 years, how do you feel now, seeing them in this painting
being oppressed and killed?