(Bibliography: my 1971 Aesthetics course textbook)
-Aesthetics suggests, correctly, that it is possible to arrive at criteria to sort out good and great art works from those which are lesser or inferior. Some of these, across the various mediums and genres might include unity, formal principles, evidence of conscious and thoughtful design, complexity, intensity, balance, development and variations of theme.
-Art definitely has to do with Truth (e.g., Orwell’s 1984) and morality/ethical behaviors (e.g., Dickens’ Great Expectations). Aristotle: “Art gives us universal truth.” There are external truths in the facts and details of the work and implicit truths–the statements implicit in the work, which Aristotle refers to above. We often glean truths and life ‘lessons’ from exposure to art works. *Relative to morality: works of art often suggest or facilitate moral/ethical values such as connection, empathy, sympathy, understanding, appreciation, respect and tolerance of others.
-There is such a thing as an aesthetic attitude for engaging with the arts. One should ‘read’ the work of art on its own terms with a disinterested, non-utilitarian, non-distracted attitude and no concern of self. It should not be viewed as a means to an end or with any agendas or motives. And whatever meanings or relevance will naturally arise afterward on their own over time.
-Works of art are enduring sources of aesthetic contemplation and engagement to different people in different times and places. There is a definite sense of permanence to works like Hamlet, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and the Mona Lisa.
-When we respond to a work of art, we respond variously to its surfaces, formal structures, and style.
-Good and great art usually alters/reorients our visions of the world and our world views.
-Art is, first and foremost, a communication of feelings (likely most noticeable in music, painting, dance, and poetry). Art always contains this affective dimension. Music is, potentially and basically, a tonal analogue of human emotional life.
-Eventually through exposure to many works of art, we form interpretations and judgements that may enable us to critique or evaluate works of art.
-The responses and judgements that we have of works of art are ultimately subjective quite apart from any common, shared ‘objective’ agreements that might occur. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, finally. As Vincent Price suggested in his book about painting: “I know what I like.”