Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art: Introduction

Dr. Ellie Anderson, philosophy professor and co-host of Overthink podcast, gives a brief history of the philosophy of art and aesthetics, drawing on Paul Oskar Kristeller's Introduction to the Aesthetics: A Comprehensive Anthology reader, ed. Cahn and Meskin (Blackwell, 2008).

This is the first video in a series introducing philosophers' views of art and aesthetics, so watch it if you plan to follow the playlist!

For more from Dr. Anderson, check out Overthink on YouTube, or listen to our conversational podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at @overthink_pod

[dylangreyluxe]

ahhh thank you! I'm about to graduate from my philosophy program in December and unfortunately my university doesn't run our philosophy of art course due to the lack of interest.
I love watching these as a stand in until I can afford to buy the books I need to do my own independent studies!

[ReynaSingh]

Once read that beauty demands to be replicated. I think that definition could work in a biological and artistic context

[xWingzTV]

Never thought you’d touch on aesthetics, probably one of my favorite subjects of philosophical inquiry. Hoping you can do a video on the sublime in the future as well!

[BabyBat]

I'm doing my Masters in Public History about my local Goth subculture, based on Walter Benjamin's perspectives. Coming from the History field, there is so much to learn in Philosophy it's fascinating. I've always held a deep admiration for Philosophy and this channel is helping me with my Masters as well as my passion for leaning, thank you!

[harisubramanian]

Art - 'Calms the disturbed and distrubs the calm'

[NABloisROTH]

Dropping by to say:
I'm an artist and will watch every video in this series!

[gokhancevik]

Very important video, thank you..

People must realize again importance of art and

Greetings....

[thethe]

It seems Benjamin sets a ground for Baudrillard's argument of Hyperreality/signifier/sign. I have done some work with this for college lecture in fine arts, but your clarity is so helpful!

[moil]

so glad this is a series, it'd be great if you could cover at least one of these non-western/ancient greece/rome traditions in another video

[cultureandtheory]

Thank you so much for the video; your knowledge is greatly appreciated and has been incredibly helpful!

[captainbritain]

I know this channel focuses on institutional philosophy, but I think it would be interesting to hear your perspective on CJ the X’s video essays on the philosophy of art. Their thoughts are so inspiring and distinctive!

[frankshifreen]

Great summation Dr Anderson- love the series- wish I had you as my teacher

[Gabric_]

the relationship between aesthetics and industrial product design could be interesting. Is product design an artistic activity? (can industrial products be considered art ? perhaps not, because they are mass-produced). but I can still talk about the aesthetics of an industrial product!

[Dino_Medici]

Omg I didn’t know you teach a philosophy of art class. That sounds amaze. I’m local, might have to take the class.

For those in the comments, what’s your fav groundbreaking work of art? I have so many, but moments that jump out at me are the story of Pope Julius II telling Michelangelo his vision for the Sistine Chapel, the Salon des Refusés, and Marina Abramović’s “Rhythm 0.”

POPE JULIUS II & MICHELANGELO
When Pope Julius II told Michelangelo that he wanted him to paint the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo said something to the effect of; “Pope?! What are you crazy? Are you madman?? Are you sick in the head???!…” Pope Julius gritted his teeth, and said; “Michelangelo, we must create, THE GREATEST WORK OF ART THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.”

SALON DES REFUSES
I also love the story of the Salon des Refusés, when Manet and the preimpressionists weren’t allowed to present at the The Paris Salon, sponsored by the French government and the Academy of Fine Arts. So they had their own art show the “Salon des Refusés” across the street and it shook the world, setting the stage for a new era in painting. A new art movement reintroducing the artist as apart of the work of art, because painting in many respects, became so perfect it was now boring. The technological invention of photography was also a notable macro cultural force driving the spark of impressionism, because now, we could capture historical images with perfection, no longer relying on painters to do so.

MARINA ABRAMOVIC’S “RHYTHM 0”
Lastly, I might have a hidden gem for some of you. It’s the story of Marina Abramović’s “Rhythm 0” performative art exhibition in 1974. The idea behind the project was a field experiment exploring social psychology concepts like conformity and evil, and more specifically social loafing’s impact on group anonymity driving individuals to engage in evil acts. The art exhibit was performed with the goal of additionally exploring themes like deviance in crowd behavior, and how deindividuation plays into the role of accountability and lack of responsibility.
Although inspired by, Marina’s hypothesis for “Rhythm 0” wasn’t a study of obedience and authority as it relates to evil, seen in Stanley Milgram’s “Shock Experiment.” Rather, it’s the artistic depiction of Phillip Zimbardo’s “Stanford Prison Experiment, ” asking the question, when individuals hide behind group identity - And are allowed to behave how they want. How do they act? Spoiler alert, it ain’t pretty haha.

Salon des Refusés

Marina Abramović’s “Rhythm 0”

[TambakStudio]

aesthethic as a term is coined in the 18th century to refer to a theory of beauty, the philosophy of art, and in its most general sense to a study of perception, because aesthethics comes from the ancient greek word aisthesis, which means perception.

[chrischaves]

Thanks for your lecture Dr. Anderson! I include both visual and emotional reception as central to a more complete aesthetical experience. Would you say that formal aesthetics should only include a "perceptual" experience with no room for an emotional response to an external stimulus?

[tomthumb]

Was αἰσθάνομαι, the verb, prior to the noun? Had meaning also of understanding, apprehending or learning as well as perceiving, and in modern gk means I feel, sense. Peirce puts aesthetics in his realm of Firstness. Percepts are icons, also in Firtsness. Feeling also in Firstness, as is imagining.

[dandiacal]

What a great video and so helpful to and harmonious with my own project on my podcast! Thank you!

[jenna]

Calligraphy and flower arrangement should be on the list.

[jerrypeters]

Such an interesting subject. Thank You!