Activity 1

Humanities as defined are academic disciplines that studies aspect of human society
and culture. On the other hand, art is the diverse range of human activities in creating visual
auditory or performing artefact and expressing the author's imaginative side.

There are a lot of reasons why we should study humanities. The first one is that it serves
as the guide in order to understand human nature and life's existence. It gives answers to man's
unending questions about the world we live in. According to Martin and Jacobos in 2014, this
field of study helps man to assess his self in the very first time of his existence until the present
time. Humanities also have fundamental principles. It is said that human nature is inherently
good. Human beings have a freedom of making their own choices. We have the capability to
address our beliefs and which to take side with. Also it is said that human beings has their
responsibility not only to their selves but also to others.

In contrast, the discussions of arts leave us the idea of its three classical branches which
is painting, sculpture and architecture. Literature and other media are included in a broader
definition of what an art is. The nature of art as defined by philosophers constitutes the most
important means of expression. Another one is that art is subjective and employs the use of
perception, insights and feelings. In connection to this, arts are used to freely, physically, and
socially express one's self.

Arts are not only seen as a beautiful creation but it also serves a lot of functions. Arts
that have functional values are called functional arts. It is created for us to use in our everyday
life. Another art form is the non-functional art that is design artistically for the purpose of beauty.
Another discussion is about aesthetic, which is a branch of philosophy that deals with
appreciation of beauty.
Activity 2

1. Why is it necessary for one to have philosophical perspective on arts?

It is very important for everyone to have a philosophical perspective on art. Not all art
display its meaning in an explicit manner, sometimes an artist hide an art's nature. Philosophy
helps people understand arts subjectively and even the emotions behind it.

A person's philosophic view of an art varies depending on their perspective. Like Plato,
because of his philosophical view of what an art is, he believed that art is an imitation and it is
dangerous. People somehow find this belief weird because we all know that there is nothing
dangerous about art, but it is his philosophical view. In other words based on different
philosophical perspective, people can express their own opinion and insights about a particular
art. Moreover, digging deeper on the nature of an art, the meaning behind it, and its purpose
can be done when a person has his own philosophical perspective.

Along with people's different philosophical view is the level of how one can appreciate art
itself. Just like what Aristotle said about physical manifestation of beauty depending on size.
Some people may admire small and minimalist arts while others always recognized arts that are
larger in size because they think it is more obviously beautiful. And some people may not care
about these things because they just appreciate the beauty of an art regardless of its size.
People tend to neglect an art because he lacks appreciation for the reason that he's not into it
while others give a lot of credit to the artist for making such an incredible work. With this, it can
be seen that we really need to have philosophical perspective on art in order to interpret and
recognize an art work and express our opinion and insights about it.
 2. Identify other philosophers who advocated the arts and compare their ideas with those of
three notable ones as discussed in this module.

Philosophers of different eras expressed their thoughts, philosophic ideas and

conception about arts. A western philosopher named Arthur Danto also conveyed his critics
about art through his work and philosophy. His book entitled, "The end of art" refers to the
beginning of our modern era of art in which art no longer adheres to the constraints of imitation
theory but serves a new purpose. It contradicts the prime idea of Plato that art imitates the
objects and events of ordinary life.

In addition, philosopher George Dickie defined the art-world as an institution, under

which exist limitless systems. In this instance, the institution that Dickie refers to is a practice,
rather than a business or social organization. The systems are made up of genres such as
theatre, music, painting, and dance. On the other hand, Gustav Theodor Fechner claimed that
beauty is immediate pleasure, and that an object's pleasure determines its value. His
philosophy supports a kind of aesthetic response according to Immanuel Kant.

Jerrold Levinson, a western philosopher posited his theories of evaluating music and has
considered the legitimacy of emotional response in musical appreciation. Unlike Aristotle who
saw the true nature of art in poem, Levinson has his interest in the aesthetic of music.

Philosopher’s ideas and conceptions about arts somehow contradict and support each
other. There are a lot of philosophers that advocates art and their philosophical view of art
resembles each other.
 3. Whose perspective of the art do you adhere to? Why?

In all the philosophers who expressed their philosophical view of art, the most agreeable
perspective for me is Plato's claim that art is an imitation. Plato says that art imitates the objects
and events of ordinary life.

In my opinion, artists always get inspiration in their experiences as well as their loved
ones. Like Plato describe, they imitate what they have been through and put it in their art. Also a
lot of artists who draws and makes portraits imitate what they see on pictures. They copy the
picture itself to have an accurate work and to have an outcome that looks similar.

Conversely, Plato also claims that art is even more of an illusion than is ordinary
experience. A lot of artists derived their arts based on their wide imagination. Most probably, the
things that is unreal or fictional. An example is the fictional movies that we see on television.
The creators of those movies depends their works on their imaginations and not on personal life
experiences. Talking about illusion itself, art also produce illusions that fool the brain of the
people who is staring at it. These illusions are a distortion of our senses in a way that it tricks
our eyes. Illusions also give us deception from what its real meaning and purpose is.

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 misleads us to what is hidden behind his mask. Same with art, a lot of artworks has its
hidden meaning. The peaceful and pleasant art that we virtually see may distract us from the
true meaning behind it.

A lot of us may think that an artist is more inspired to do his artwork when he is happy.
But it is said that sadness inspire art when happiness cannot. For me, the meaning of the
artwork "the art is friendly deception" is the manipulation that art can do to us. Because it is said
that an art can entertain, provoke, and even unconsciously change a person’s mind. Example of
these is the artists, writers and painters who use art to advocate and raise awareness about a
certain issue. Another example of this, are those artists acting on our screen, when we are
watching a romance movie we tend to believe that the actors portraying the characters really
love each other because of their great chemistry. Sometimes we even thought that maybe they
are really together in real life. That’s how art can be such a deception.

Also art provide us illusions that somehow deceives us from reality. It gives us visual
representations that we don’t know what exactly is about. Example, are optical illusions. It is
said that our eyes and mind works in tandem but the brain likes taking shortcuts, and the result
is the semblance of an illusion. In short, optical illusions entail the art of deception.

4. Say something about the artwork "Art is a Friendly Deception". Expands your ideas by
means of giving relevant examples.

An art is a friendly deception. This artwork somehow reminds me of a person wearing a

mask. The person wearing it