First semester (Autumn 2012)
Faculty: PhD candidate Mikael Pettersson
Course description
The course module aims at providing insight into a number of issues fundamental for the theory and philosophy of art. It will discuss how influential theorists and philosophers have dealt with questions such as: What is art? What is an art work? How does art have meaning? These and similar issues relevant to the philosophy of art are highlighted through close readings of primary sources and discussions in seminars. Attention is furthermore directed to how the art philosophical material relate to the viewer of art and to the art field at large.
Course objectives
Having completed the course the student has demonstrated an ability to
- in an analyzing and reasonable way describe the essential features in some of the central ideas and theories discussed in the course module
- argue in favour of (or against) the reasonableness of these theories
- critically evaluate the accuracy of these theories
Course outline
Reading: Schopenhauer
Supplementary reading: Julian Young, “Schopenhauer, Heidegger, Art, and the Will,” in Dale Jacquette (ed.), Schopenhauer, Philosophy, and the Arts, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996).
Readings: Collingwood chap VI & VII
Supplementary reading: Stephen Davies, “Ontology of Art,” in OHA; Robert Stecker, ”Definitions of Art,” in OHA.
Reading: Carlshamre
Supplementary readings: Greg Currie, “Interpretation in Art,” in OHA.
Readings: Wollheim; Walton
Supplementary readings: Susan Feagin, “Painting,” in OHA; Nigel Warburton, “Photography,” in OHA
Readings: Heidegger; Goodman
Julian Young, "Schopenhauer, Heidegger, Art, and the Will"; Julian Young, "Artwork and Sportwork: Heideggerian Reflections," Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 57 (1999), pp. 267-277.
Reading: Hanson
Supplementary readings: Matthew Kieran, "Art and Morality;" Lydia Goehr, "Art and Politics," in OHA.
Reading: Groys
Supplementary readings: Currie; Paisley Livingston, "Intention in Art," in OHA.
Education
Forms of examination
