Art Appreciation Module 3 rational, as well as tables and chairs.

Man's natural end, telos, is connected with his

function, which is his rationality
Moreover, the telos and function of a thing are both related to a thing's
Name: _____________________________________________________________
identity. What makes a table a table is the fact that it does perform its function and
Year and Course: _______________ thereby reaching its telos. If a table does not have a surface on which we can put on
our books or our plates and glasses, then it ceases to be a table. The same goes for the
human being. What makes a human being a human being, according to some schools
LEARNING OBJECTIVES of thought, is his capacity for thinking, his supposed function. Without this function,
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to: the human being ceases to be a human being. The telos, the function, and the
1. 1 Distinguish between directly functional and indirectly functional art; "whatness" of a thing are all interconnected.
2. Explain and discuss the basic philosophical perspectives on the art; In contemporary life, the connection between the end, the function, and the
3. Realize the function of some art forms in daily life, and "whatness" of a thing has become closer and more interlaced, suggesting sometimes
4. Apply concepts and theories on beauty and aesthetics in real life scenarios that the end is the function and vice versa, and that they determine what kind of thing
a thing is. When one sees a new kitchen appliance in the department store, one tries to
know first what functions the appliance has. After knowing these functions, then one
LESSON 3
can claim to know the purpose of the appliance and then begins to realize what
FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ART
appliance one is holding in his arms.
Does art necessarily have an end? When an artist creates a work of art, does
INTRODUCTION he have an end in mind? What function does an artwork perform? Does it have any
Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the purpose? Do all artworks have a function? Does the function make an object a work
world has an end, or telos in Greek, which translates into "purpose." Every substance, of art? This lesson is an attempt to clarify these questions.
defined as a formed matter, moves according to a fixed path toward its aim. A seed is
Let's Get Started
bound to become a full-grown plant. A cocoon can look forward to flying high when
Visit your school or city/town museum. Using the table below, list down as many
it morphs into a butterfly. A baby will
different artworks that you have witnessed. On the second column, identify what it is
eventually turn into a grown man or woman.
for. You can either research this or surmise intelligently. Write them down on the
corresponding column.
This telos, according to Aristotle, is
Artwork What is it for?
intricately linked with function. For a thing
to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfil its
function. Man, in Aristotle's view of reality,
is bound to achieve a life of fulfilment and
happiness, or in Greek, eudaimonia. All
men move toward this final end. However,
happiness, the supposed end of man, is
linked with his function, which is being
rational. One can only be happy when he is
rational. This means that to Aristotle, plants
Aristotle can never be happy because they are not

Let's Get Down to Business
Functions of Art
When one speaks of function, one is practically talking about the use of the
object whose function is in question. An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry on
what art is for. Alternatively, the answer to the question "what is it for" is the function
of whatever "it" in the question refers to. Suppose one asks, what is the Rizal
monument for? Why was it erected in Rizal Park or what then was called Luneta or
Bagumbayan? Is it for pure sentimental value? Is it for its aesthetic value? Or does it
send a message to those who witness it? In this string of questions, the inquirer is
hoping to get the function of the piece of art in Rizal Park.
When it comes to function, different art forms come with distinctive
functions. There is no one-to-one correspondence between an art and its function.
Some art forms are more functional than others. Architecture, for example, as an art is
highly functional just like most applied arts. A building as a work of art is obviously
made for a specific purpose. The Taj Mahal, a massive mausoleum of white marble
built in Agra was constructed in memory of the favorite wife of the then emperor,
Shah Jahan. On the other hand, jewelry-making as an art is known by its product. The
name of the art in these applied arts is basically denoted by its specified function. In
this and other such functional arts, "...function is so important that it has usurped the
name of the art on the identification of individual works" (Dudley et al., 1960). Other
examples are paintings, poems, and statues. The name of the art basically points
toward the direction of the product or its function.
On the other end of the spectrum, one can only think of painting and literature
as forms of art that have the least to do with purely practical values. When one
examines and thinks of a painting or a work of literature such as a poem or a novel,
one looks at the value of the art in itself and not because of what it can do and benefit
us. Unlike practical where the value of the art (in pottery, jewelry-making,
architecture, among others) in question lies in the practical benefits one gains from it
(a pot, a jewelry, or a house or building), with painting and literature, one can only
look at the value of the product of art in and for itself. A poem is beautiful regardless
of its possible ramifications in the society. Joyce Kilmer's "Trees" has maintained its
popularity through the years regardless of its application or practical benefit. This
definitely is not to say that paintings and literary works can never have any function.
The two masterpieces of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo served as a catechist for Filipino revolutionaries to gather
strength in rejecting the oppressive forces of the Spaniards in the Philippines in the
nineteenth century. The novels accrued value and as a consequence, function. This
function as it turns out, may be over and beyond its literary worth. They are
functional "in so far as they are designed to accomplish some definite end" (Dudley et
al, 1960). In the case of Rizal's novels, they spelled out a country's independence.
They continue to be treasured even a hundred years after their supposed functions.
Roughly and broadly, the functions of art are classified into three: personal (public
display or expression), social (celebration or to affect collective behavior), and
physical (utilitarian). Let us try to understand each of these three.
Personal Functions of Art
The personal functions of art are varied and highly subjective. This means that
its functions depend on the person—the artist who created the art. An artist may
create an art out of the need for self-expression. This is the case for an artist who
needs to communicate an idea to his audience. It can also be mere entertainment for
his intended audience. Often, the artist may not even intend to mean anything with his
work.
An art may also be therapeutic. In some orphanages and home for abandoned
elders, art is used to help residents process their emotions or while away their time.
Recently, the use of adult coloring books to de-stress has been apparent too, now with
a lot of designs being sold in bookstores nationwide. These all fall under personal
functions of art.
Social Functions of Art
Art is considered to have a social function if and when it addresses a particular
collective interest as opposed to a personal interest. Political art is a very common
example of an art with a social function. Art may
convey message of protest, contestation, or whatever
message the artist intends his work to carry. Often, art
can also depict social conditions. Photography, as an art
form, delivers this kind of function by taking photos of
subjects in conditions that people do not normally take a look at or give attention to. Caloocan are common examples. In the University of the Philippines, the iconic
Pictures of poverty may carry emotional overtones that may solicit action or statue Oblation by Guillermo E. Tolentino has remained a pillar of the university and
awareness from their audience. Moreover, performance art like plays or satires can constant reminder of the need to offer oneself up selflessly for the country. Coins are
also rouse emotions and rally people toward a particular end. In these and more, the also a manifestation of sculpting’s function. Every coin in the Philippines features a
social function of art is apparent. relief of a famous hero or personality. Recently, the Central Bank of the Philippines
produced special commemorative coins for certain personalities like Pope Francis and
Physical Functions of Art the Figure 19. Pope Francis Commemorative Coin Jesuit, Horacio de la Costa.
The physical functions of art are the easiest to spot and understand. The physical Another art form that readily lends itself to multiple functions is architecture.
functions of art can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve some In fact, architecture might be the most prominentPope functional
Francisart form. Buildings
Commemorative are
Coin
physical purpose. A Japanese raku bowl that serves a physical function in a tea huge, expensive, and are not easily constructed and replaced. Unlike other forms of
ceremony is an example. Architecture, jewelry- making, and even interior design are art like pots, furniture, poetry, or even paintings, bui take so much time to erect and
all forms of arts that have physical function. destroy. A lot of investments is put into making mega structures like the pyramids of
Other Functions of Art Giza, the acropolis, or the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages. One cannot simply
Music as an art is also interesting to talk about in relation to function. Music dismiss taking into consideration the function of a building before construction.
in its original form was principally functional Music was used for dance and religion. It is also in architecture where one can find the intimate connection of
Unlike today, when one can just listen to music for the sake of music's sake, the function and form. In planning out an architectural structure, one has to seriously
ancient world saw music only as an instrument to facilitate worship and invocation to consider the natural conditions like topography and climate of the place of erection
gods. Music also was essential to dance because music assures synchronicity among and the social conditions such as the purpose of the building itself. In the Philippines,
dancers. Moreover, music also guarantees that marches, in the case of warriors, were climate is a huge factor in building a house. Spanish colonial houses were designed to
simultaneous. allow for air to circulate inside the
Today, music has expanded its function and coverage. Music is listened to and house. Large windows were staples
made by people for reasons that were foreign to early civilizations. There is now a lot then. Capiz shells were also
of music that has no connection whatsoever to dance or religion. Serenade is one utilized to allow for light to enter
example. People compose hymns of love to express feelings and emotions. Music is A Spanish house in the Philippines the house even if the windows
also used as a wonderful accompaniment to stage plays and motion pictures. were closed.
Interestingly, a piece of music can mean a multitude of meanings to different people, Moreover, social
a proof that as an art, music has gone a long way. conditions, such as purpose, play a
Sculpture, on the other hand, is another functional art form that has long huge role in architecture. To
existed for various purposes. Just like music, from the early days of humanity, Christians, a church is primarily a
sculptures have been made by man most place of worship and assembly.
particularly for religion. People erect status Regular ceremonies, where
for the divine. In the Roman Catholic world, members of the church are
the employment of sculptures for religious expected to come regularly, are
purposes has remained vital, relevant, and held inside the church. A huge,
symbolic. spacious church therefore is
Sculptures were also made in order necessitated by this social condition. Indeed, whenever art serves a particular
to commemorate important figures in function, the form has to be determined by the function.
history. Jose Rizal's monument in Rizal Park
and Andres Bonifacio's Monumento in Does Art Always Have to be Functional?
 While it has been shown that most arts are functional, still there are some
which are not. The value of a work of art does not depend on function but on the
work itself. The plays of Aeschylus and the poetry of Robert Frost and Edgar Allan
Poe are still counted as examples of great works of art despite their not having a
known function. In those whose functions are ascertained, however, it is a different
story. A functional object cannot be claimed to be beautiful unless it can perform its
function sufficiently. Consider a house that cannot even protect its resident from the
nasty weather outside or a spoon that spills the food on it. Adequate performance of
function partly determines the beauty of a design in these functional art forms.
Despite these, efficiency cannot be mistaken as beauty. While it certainly
determines beauty in some works of art, an efficient functional object is not
necessarily beautiful. Art demands so much more than mere efficiency. What then
really comprises beauty and art? What makes something truly beautiful? What really
makes a work of art? What really is art? The next section attempts to provide
different perspectives on the nature of art.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
Art as an Imitation
Plato (2000) in his masterpiece, The
Republic, particularly paints a picture of
artists as imitators and art as mere imitation.
In his description of the ideal republic, Plato
advises against the inclusion of art as a
subject in the curriculum and the banning of
artists in the Republic. In Plato's metaphysics
view of reality, the things in this world are
only copies of the original, the eternal, and
the true entities that can only be found in the
World of Forms. Human beings endeavor to
reach the Forms all throughout this life,
starting with formal education in school.
From looking at "shadows in the cave," men
slowly crawl outside to behold the real Plato
entities in the world. For example, the chair
that one sits on is not a real chair. It is an imperfect copy of the perfect "chair" in the
World of Forms. Much is true for "beauty" in this world. When one ascribes beauty to
another person, he refers to an imperfect beauty that participates only in the form of
beauty in the World of Forms. Plato was convinced that artists merely reinforce the
belief in copies and discourage men to reach for the real entities in the World of
Forms.
Plato was deeply suspicious of arts and artists for two reasons: they appeal to
the emotion rather than to the rational faculty of men and they imitate rather than lead
one to reality. Poetry and painting, the art forms that Plato was particularly concerned
with, do not have any place in the ideal state that Socrates (as the protagonist) in
Plato's dialogue envisions. First, Plato is critical of the effects of art, specifically,
poetry to the people of the ideal state, Poetry rouses emotions and feelings and thus,
clouds the rationality of people. Poetry has a capacity to sway minds without taking
into consideration the use of proper reason. As such, it leads one further away from
the cultivation of the intellect that Plato campaigned for. Likewise, Socrates is
worried that art objects represent only the things in this world, copies themselves of
reality As such, in the dialogue, Socrates claimed that art is just an imitation of
imitation. A painting is just an imitation of nature, which is also just an imitation of
reality in the World of Forms.
The arts then are to be banished, alongside the practitioners, so that the
attitudes and actions of the members of the Republic will not be corrupted by the
influence of the arts. For Plato, art is dangerous because it provides a petty
replacement for the real entities that can only be attained through reason.
Art as a Representation
Aristotle, Plato's most important student in philosophy, agreed with his
teacher that art is a form of imitation. However, in contrast to the disgust that his
master holds for art, Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in revealing
truth. The kind of imitation that art does is not antithetical to the reaching of
fundamental truths in the world. Talking about tragedies, for example, Aristotle
(1902) in the Poetics claimed that poetry is a literary representation in general. Akin
to other art forms, poetry only admits of an attempt to represent what things might be.
For Aristotle, all kinds of art, including poetry, music, dance, painting, and sculpture,
do not aim to represent reality as it is. What art endeavors to do is to provide a vision
of what might be or the myriad possibilities in reality. Unlike Plato who thought that
art is an imitation of another imitation, Aristotle conceived of art as representing
possible versions of reality.
In the Aristotelian worldview, art serves two particular purposes. First, art
allows for the experience of pleasure. Experiences that are otherwise repugnant can
become entertaining in art. For example, a horrible experience can be made an object
of humor in a comedy. Secondly, art also has an ability to be instructive and teach its
audience things about life; thus, it is cognitive as well. Greek plays are usually of this
nature.
 beautiful for him, but in a sense, expects that the same thing should put everyone in
Art as a Disinterested Judgment awe.
In the third critique that Immanuel Kant wrote, the "Critique of Judgement," Art as a Communication of Emotion
Kant considered the judgment of beauty, the cornerstone of art, as something that can The author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy, provided
be universal despite its subjectivity. Kant mentioned that judgment of beauty, and another perspective on what art is. In his book, What is Art (2016). Tolstoy defended
therefore, art, is innately autonomous from specific interests. It is the form of art that the production of the sometimes truly extravagant art, like operas, despite extreme
is adjudged by one who perceives art to be beautiful or more so, sublime. Therefore, poverty in the world. For him, art plays a huge role in communication to its
even aesthetic judgment for kant is a cognitive activity. audience's emotions that the artist previously experienced. Art then serves as a
Kant recognized that language, a communication device that articulates feelings and emotions that are
judgment of beauty is subjective. otherwise unavailable to the audience. In the same way that language communicates
However, Kant advanced the information to other people, art communicates emotions. In listening to music, in
proposition that even subjective watching an opera, and in reading poems, the audience is at the receiving end of the
judgments are based on some artist communicating his feelings and emotions.
universal criterion for the said Tolstoy is fighting for the social dimension of art. As a purveyor of man's
judgment. In the process, Kant innermost feelings and thoughts, art is given a unique opportunity to serve as a
responded to the age-old question of mechanism for social unity. Art is central to man's existence because it makes
how and in what sense can a accessible feelings and emotions of people from the past and present, from one
judgment of beauty, which continent to another. In making these possibly latent feelings and emotions accessible
ordinarily is considered to be a to anyone in varied time and location, art serves as a mechanism of cohesion for
subjective feeling, be considered everyone. Thus, even at present, one can commune with early Cambodians and their
objective or universal. How is this struggles by visiting the Angkor Wat or can definitely feel for the early royalties of
so? For Kant, when one judges a different Korean dynasties by watching Korean dramas. Art is what allows for these
particular painting as beautiful, one possibilities.
in effect is saying that the said
painting has induced a particular
feeling of satisfaction from him and
that he expects the painting to rouse
the same feeling from anyone. There
is something in the work of art that
makes it capable of inciting the
same feeling of pleasure and
satisfaction from any perceiver,
regardless of his condition. Immanuel Kant

For Kant, every human being, after perception and the free play of his
faculties, should recognize the beauty that is inherent in a work of art. This is the kind
of universality that a judgment of beauty is assumed by Kant to have. So when the Cambodia's Angkor Wat
same person says that something is beautiful, he does not just believe that the thing is
Let's Wrap It Up
Art has remained relevant in our daily lives because most of it has played
some form of function for man. Since the dawn of the civilization, art has been at the
forefront of giving color to man's existence. The different functions of art may be
classified as either personal, social, or physical. An art's function is personal if it
depends on the artist herself or sometimes still, the audience of the art. There is a
social function in art if and when it has a particular social function, when it addresses
Let's Make It Happen
a collective need of a group of people. Physical function, finally, has something to do
Look around your house and identify a product of art. In the box below, paste
with direct, tangible uses of art. Not all products of art have function. This should not
a picture of that product of art in your household. Trace the beginnings of this item
disqualify them as art though. As mentioned and elucidated by some of the most
and identify what functions it has played in history (e.g. a painting of the Last Supper
important thinkers in history, art may serve either as imitation, representation, a
in your dining room or a spoon).
disinterested judgment, or simply a communication of emotion.

Let's Work On This

Answer the following questions as precisely yet as thoroughly as possible.

1. What art form/artwork has changed something in your life? Why? Account for the
experience.

2. Does art always have a function? Why? Support your response. Provide your own
example.

REFERENCES
Butcher, S.H. (Ed.) (1902). The Poetics of Aristotle. New York: The Macmillan
Company
Dudley, L., Faricy, A., and McGraw-Hill Book Company. (1960). The Humanities.
New
3. If an artwork ceased to have a function, will it remain an art? Why? York: McGraw-Hill.
Plato. (2000). The Republic. Accessed November 2, 2017. Retrieved from
http://catdir
loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam031/00024471.pdf.
Tolstoy, Leo. (2016). What Is Art? Accessed November 2, 2017. Retrieved from
http://
web.mnstate.edu/gracyk/courses/phil%200f%20art/printer-friendly/Tolstoy_on
Art_TWO cOLUMNS pdf.