Functions and
Philosophical
Perspective on Art
LESSON 3
Reporters:
Kingmichael Patiño
Marianhel Dela Cruz
Mark Vincent Fetilo
Aristotle claimed that every paticular
substance in the world has an end, or
telos in Greek, which translates into
“purpose“.
Every substance, defined as formed
matter, moves according to a fixed path
towards its aim.
This telos, according to Aristotle, is
intricately linked with function.
For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has
to fulfill its functions.
FUNCTIONS
OF ART
An inquiry on the function of art is an
inquiry on what art is for.
Example: What is the Rizal
monument for?
When it comes to function, different
art forms come with distinctive
functions.
Some art forms are more functional
than others.
Architecture and Applied Arts Painting and Literature
The value of the art in One can look at the
question lies in the value of the product
practical benefits one of art in and for itself.
gains from it.
Obviously made for a
specific purpose.
DOES IT MEAN THAT PAINTINGS AND LITERARY
WORKS CAN NEVER HAVE ANY FUNCTION?
Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibustirismo
The novels accrued value and as
consequence, function.
They are functional in so far as they are
designed to accomplish some definite end.
PERSONAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
The personal function of art are varied and highly
subjective.
Functions depends on the artist who created the
art.
An artist may create an art out of self-expression,
entertainment, or therapeutic purpose.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
Art is considered to have a social function if and when it addresses
a particular collective interest as opposed to a personal interest.
Political art is a very common example of an art with a social
function.
Art may convey message of protest, contestation, or whatever
message the artist intends his work to carry.
Art can also depict social conditions such as photography (picture
of poverty)
Performance art like plays or satires can also rouse emotions and
rally people toward a particular end.
PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF ART
The physical functions of art can be found in
artworks that are crafted in order to served some
physical purpose.
Architecture, jewelry-making, interior designs all
serves physical functions.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART
Music was principally used for dance and religion.
The ancient world saw music as an instrument to facilitate
worship and invocation to gods.
Music was essential for synchronicity of dancers.
Sculptures have been made by man most particularly for
religion.
It is also in architecture where one can find the intimate
connection and form.
DOES ART
ALWAYS HAVE TO
BE FUNCTIONAL?
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
ART AS AN IMITATION
In Plato’s The Republic, paints a picture of artists as imitators
and art as mere imitation.
In Plato’s metaphysics or view of reality, the things in this
world are only copies of the original, the eternal, and the true
entities that can only be found in the World of Forms.
Plato was convinced that artists merely reinforce the belief in
copies and discourage men to reach for the real entities in the
World of Forms.
Poetry rouses emotions and feelings and thus, clouds
rationality of people.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
ART AS A REPRESENTATION
Aristotle, agreed with Plato that art is a form of imitation.
However, Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in
revealing the truth.
The kind of imitation the art does is not antithetical to the
reaching of fundamental truths in the world.
Unlike Plato who thought that art is an imitation of another
imitation, Aristotle conceived of art as representing possible
versions of reality.
For Aristotle, all kinds of art do not aim to represent reality as it
is, it endeavors to provide a version of what might be or the
myriad possibilities of reality.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
ART AS A DISINTERESTED JUDGEMENT
Immanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgement,
considered the judgement of beauty, the cornerstone
of art, as something that can be universal despite its
subjectivity.
Kant recognized that judgement of beauty is
subjective.
However, even subjective judgements are based on
some universal criteron for the said judgement.
ART AS A COMMUNICATION OF EMOTION
According to Leo Tolstoy, art plays a huge role in communication
to its audience’s emotions that the artist previously experienced.
In the same that language communicates information to other
people, art communicates emotions.
As a purveyor of man’s innermost feelings and thoughts, art is
given a unique opportunity to serve as a mechanism for social unity
Art is central to man’s existence because it makes accessible
feelings and emotions of people from the past and present.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
