Rebecca Wallbank: "Art and Love"

Rebecca Wallbank, Uppsala universitet: "Art and Love"

Abstract
Some philosophers have claimed that our reactions to artworks are often reactions of love, many of these philosophers have further claimed that love for art is something that we ought to have. But these claims are puzzling. Can we really love inanimate objects like artworks? If, we can love art, is such love under our voluntary control, and if it is not under our voluntary control, does it even make sense to say that we ought to pursue love for art? Is it correct to say that love for art is always valuable? Love can be generally problematic, it can blind us to the truth, create division and limit us. Is love for art similarly problematic, and if so, what can we do about it?