1. For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
I learned various key concepts from the video and articles. One of those concepts being aesthetics, which is the branch of philosophy concerned with the feelings aroused in us by sensory experiences such as seeing and hearing. Aesthetics examines, among other things, the nature of art and the nature of beauty. Another being Political and Social Order, which is a specific type of art theme. According to text, the Great Pyramids of Gaza are a great example of that type of artistic theme. Another thing I learned was a triptych, which is a painting in three sections. A great example of this is The Garden of Earthly Delights, which is the central and largest panel of a triptych. I also learned that the human brain is wired in such a way that we can make sense of lines, colors and patterns on a flat canvas. These are only a few of the concepts I learned about from each video and article.
2. Which philosopher's theroy on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosphers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.
Plato, a philosopher in Classical Greece during the 4th century BC’s theory in aesthetics is most important to me. He felt as though that the true nature of the effeminate things we see in the world, was their idea and that ideas are beyond the senses and they can only be grasped by reason. However, there is one idea that perceives itself through our senses which is the idea of beauty. I feel as though Plato’s contribution to the aesthetic theory is important because he felt or believed that art is powerful, therefore dangerous. It has the ability to stir our emotions and move people powerfully and influence our behavior and even our character. These are effects of the feelings aroused in us when we encounter any form of art that appeals to us.
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?
Changeux believes there is a definite genetic envelope for the evolutionary origins of art. His scientific view on art focuses on the human brain and how art affects our emotions, feelings, thoughts, and consciousness, which I believed was a very profound and insightful theory. Ramachandran's scientific view of aesthetics is intrigued me mostly because of his proposal of the laws of art. Those eight laws of art enhanced my knowledge and understanding of art. The most interesting fact I discovered from Changeux's lecture was that art is distinct from language and is a form of nonverbal communication. From Ramachandran, the most interesting fact was when he revealed that he believed that the Dada movement isn't considered art.
4. How do the videos and article relate to the readings in the text?
I believe the text reading corresponds with the videos and the articles because they both elaborate about the aesthetics of art, detailing different philosopher's and their beliefs and theories on this phenomenon. The book explains the basics of the topics while the video gives a more in-depth explanation.
5. What is your opinion of the films and article? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading in the text?
The films and articles were interesting and were very helpful in enhancing my understanding of art. In my opinion, the most helpful was perhaps the Changuex and Ramachandran lectures and their scientific view of aesthetics and art. I never knew that art could coincide with neurology to the extent where some may consider "neusthethics" to be a a field of science. Also, the documentary about aesthetics were also very helpful in enlightening me about the philosophical theories from some of the most influential men in history. These videos and articles gave me a better understanding of aesthetics.
