PHIL 185.001 – Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art

Instructor: Tamara Fakhoury. This course meets MWF 1:25 – 2:15 p.m. in BI 317.

This course will survey a range of topics in the philosophy of art. We will read classic texts and occasionally dip into contemporary readings. Central questions include: What is art and why does it matter? What is the relation between aesthetic value and moral value, between art, justice, and the good life? Do the artist’s intentions determine the meaning of the work? Is there an objective standard of taste? Can art change the world? What is the role of art in resistance struggles? We will supplement our studies by considering real works of art including film, music, poetry, and painting.