Aesthetics, Art, and Reality: Subjectivity, Science, and Criticism

The Essence of Aesthetics: Subjectivity and Art

Aesthetics emerges as an alternative to a culture that often prioritizes objectivity, emphasizing subjectivity and originality. The artist seeks to re-interpret reality, offering a second way of seeing the world. It's not just any distortion; the more profound the distortion, the better. The artist never shows objective truth, but a distorted one. Aesthetics is not measured by utility; art begins where something ceases to be useful. Anything abnormal gains value because we are accustomed to despising what lacks utility.

Art vs. Science: Objective Truth vs. Subjective Expression

Science rejects subjectivity, seeking universal thought and a singular truth. In contrast, art embraces subjectivity, striving for originality and not merely representing objects as they are. While art might be considered 'useless' in a practical sense, it can inspire courage, for example, when viewing a painting.

Culture: Certainty and Values

Culture can be conceptualized as:

• Certainty: Represented by science, akin to the intellect.
• Values: Embodied by technology, representing its core application.

Challenges in Science: Epistemological Problems

Problems in science often involve epistemological challenges, particularly in achieving certitude through demonstration. However, when faced with these problems, some scientists might respond dogmatically, asserting 'this is so because I say so,' rather than providing demonstrable proof.

The Problem of Technology: Means to an End

The problem with technology often lies in its means-to-an-end approach. Its utility is often transient; we assign value and importance to an environment only if it helps achieve a specific goal, and once that goal is met, its intrinsic value may be disregarded.

Core Principles of Artistic Creation

• In the realm of art, objective truth is less important than the distortion of reality, which must be subjective and original.
• True art should not be used as a mere means or for entertainment; its essence lies in its perceived 'uselessness'.

In aesthetics, mere observations do not suffice. It does not seek to impart factual knowledge or instruct on how to create things. Instead, it aims to reveal art in its pure form.

Poetics: Crafting Art Aesthetically

Poetics is a branch of aesthetics that outlines principles for creating art, focusing on aesthetic considerations rather than purely technical ones.

Understanding Art Criticism: Beyond Personal Preference

Criticism: This involves evaluation from the viewer's perspective, requiring judgment supported by convincing arguments. Aesthetics is often associated with critics, but merely stating 'I like it' or 'I don't like it' does not constitute genuine criticism. People often confuse 'good' art with 'not art,' sometimes believing that if a work can be imitated, it lacks true merit. They might only consider something genuinely good if it defies imitation.

A significant bias is the belief that personal expression, often driven by feeling rather than reason, automatically constitutes valid aesthetic judgment. Every aesthetic judgment is underpinned by reason. When we judge a work of art, we apply criteria, even if we don't consciously articulate the underlying reasoning.