Aesthetics

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

Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts: The key concepts I learned was that beauty at first was not in the eyes of the beholder but in a rulebook. There were laws and measures of what beauty was according to early philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. It wasn’t until much later that Kant began the movement that what was aesthetically pleasing was subjective to individuals.

‪CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics: The key concept I learned was that there are neurological cues to why we think certain things are visually pleasing. Several visual techniques can influence our perception of beauty as both speakers stated in their lectures.

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

When watching the video I was shocked to hear that in the early ages, aesthetics were based on strict rules and laws. I was always under the assumption that it was a personal preference. Then when the video began talking about Immanuel Kant, I started to find some common ground. He was a philosopher in the 18th Century who started going against the laws of beauty and began the idea that it is not a rule-bound subject, but rather based on feelings. Because the concept, "what is beautiful" is so subjective, there can be no science or conclusion of it. I feel this is important to understand because it is the same with art. There is no right or wrong, beautiful or ugly, yes or no's in art, it is how a viewer looks at the piece and interprets it with his or her own experiences and emotions. 

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 thought Changeux and Ramachandran’s view on aesthetics and art was very interesting and it was the first time I associated art and interpreting it with sensations and perceptions of the brain. At first I was under the impression that art was COMPLETELY subjective to ones own opinion, likes, dislikes, etc. Changeux and Ramachandran have now given me another perspective that, yes, there is still individuality of what people think is beautiful or pleasing, but there are some guidelines that could be related to our brain’s make up. What I found most intriguing was when Ramachandran specified about our evolutionary instincts in why people are more attracted to things that are symmetrical. He stated that since most animals are symmetrical in their physical attributes, they are more appealing because predators were always on the look out for prey, prey were always on the lookout for predators, and all animals are searching for a mate. Therefore animals were attracted to symmetrical beings because they were trying to detect their attackers, their dinner or their date.

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

Both videos further explore what art does to the human observer and why we have the reactions we do when looking at art. Having this foundation and understanding will further benefit the readings on the different themes, cultures, and styles of art that we will be discussing throughout the course.

5. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading?

I enjoyed learning about the history of what people perceived as beautiful as well as looking at aesthetics in a scientific perspective. I think it is important to have a background of how the viewpoints of art has transformed throughout history because it will only broaden our own interpretations of it. I also believe that seeing art from a biological standpoint possibly gets us closer to understanding why we think the pieces of art we know and love are so memorable and attractive. Yet I am still skeptical on these so called laws of art. I’m sure the research shows crystal clear that there is an association of biology and aesthetics. Yet for me art is supposed to be a creative and passionate display of freedom and tranquility and the thought of science and rules impeding on that type of liberty takes something away from the beauty of art.