Art Class Post #2

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

The key concepts in the first film Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts are the different view of aesthetics that philosophers have held over time, and how the view of aesthetics has changed and evolved over time. In the second film CARTA: Neurobiology Neurology and Art and Aesthetics the key concepts are that of the scientific view of aesthetics. The key concepts are the evolutionary origin of art and aesthetics, the processing of visual images in the brain, and the rules of art.

 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 contrition to the aesthetic theory in your response.

I feel that the philosopher Francis Hutcheson's theory on aesthetics was the most important. His theory was published in 1725 in Inquiry Concerning Beauty, Order, Harmony, and Design. He believed that we are endowed with a special sense by which we perceive beauty, harmony, and proportion, and this belief is one of the main theories leading to the modern aesthetic theory.

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 like the scientific view of aesthetics and art that Changeux and Ramachandran have. I like it because it explains why we find some things more aesthetically beautiful then other things, and explains the processes that take place in our brain to create this perception. I particularly liked the eight laws of art proposed by Ramachandran, and the evolution of art in humans discussed by Changeux. The laws show how and why somethings are more aesthetically pleasing, and Changeux's lecture showed how humans went from the discovery of tools to the discovery of artistic composition.

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

The videos relate to the reading in the text because they elaborate on what art and aesthetics is. the videos give the views held by philosophers and those of scientists to help describe and explain them.

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

I enjoyed the films, but i preferred the 2nd film over the first. In the 2nd film however, the first speaker Changeux was hard to understand at times, and because of this a little bit hard to follow. the films added depth to the understanding of the topics in my reading by elaborating on what art is, why art is created, and the aesthetics of art. Both films provided different views from scientist and philosophers that clarified each of these three points.