I think the answer to the question is no. Any writing on aesthetics will necessarily confront one or several recognized aesthetic concepts. Variations and blends notwithstanding.
WC --- On Wed, 12/3/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: Minimalist conception of aesthetic experience > To: [email protected] > Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 11:54 AM > Chris asks: "Is it possible to write about aesthetics > without reference to a > specific canon of aesthetic objects ?" > > One might reasonably respond: "Obviously it IS > possible -- you just did it." > > "Oh, but writing just one posting about aesthetics > isn't 'writing about > aesthetics' etc. . ." > > 'Isn't'? > > > In a message dated 12/3/08 11:56:40 AM, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > I am surprised that no one here has anything to say > about this dispute > > which > > involves at least 5 academics who have published books > that relate to it. > > > > Although, I'd be even more surprised if any > contemporary academic ever wrote > > a > > book that attracted my attention beyond the first > page, as they are far > more > > concerned with the canon of philosophy than with the > those of music, > > painting, > > poetry etc. > > > > Is it possible to write about aesthetics without > reference to a specific > > canon > > of aesthetic objects ? > > > > I don't think there's any point to it -- > unless you're addressing how > anyone > > might feel about anything. (and maybe that's why > William is mostly > > interested > > in neuroscience, which is as fascinating as anything > else in biology, but > of > > no special interest to me) > > > > This is why I find Randian aesthetics more interesting > -- because at least > > they will stand up for what they think has the > greatest value -- rather > than > > passively letting it be defined by the marketplace in > cooperation with the > > art > > museum. (although, unfortunately, I usually disagree > with their choices) > > > > ************ > > > > >Chris is right to question this. When I read it, I > felt the announcement > > was > > a typical for-members-of-the-club-only invitation from > philosophy academia. > > "Oh, well, if you don't already know what the > minimalist conception is, > > you're > > of no interest to us." > > > > > > > > > ************** > Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and > favorite sites in one place. Try it now. > (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp& > icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)
