Entry requirements

Aesthetics A or Practical Philosophy A or Theoretical Philosophy A

Learning outcomes

On completing the course each student will have deepened the knowledge of aesthetics they gained previously from their studies. Each student is expected to be able to:

• Use the concepts and distinctions necessary for the critical evaluation of philosophical theories and arguments.
• Read and understand texts with a significant proportion of historical analysis and philosophical argument.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a number of problems central to contemporary philosophical aesthetics
• Show basic knowledge of philosophical aesthetics in general
• Analyse strengths and weaknesses in the particular theories studied
• Participate in a critical discussion of the relation between different aesthetic theories and a selection of works of art which might challenge those theories.
• Use theoretical tools to argue for and against common theories about art and artistic experience.

Content

The aim of this course is to introduce the students to some of the philosophical questions that arise in connection with the ontology of art. What kind of entities are musical works? Are works of fiction identical to literary texts? What is the relation between a sculpture and the physical material which constitutes it? How does restoration and conservation affect the work? What is the difference between a copy and an original? It may seem natural to think of some artworks primarily as actions whereas others are first and foremost material objects. But should we in fact conceive of all artworks as actions?

Instruction

Teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

Assessment

Examination by take home exams.