Question 1

Think of examples of art (in any art form-for example, music, painting. architecture, and drama) that Nietzsche would consider art and that he would consider "anti-art." Do you agree with what you think his evaluation of them would be? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche would probably consider the Serra piece as art. It is grand in size, dominating the scene and imposing its will on the space around it, which is reflective of the imposing figure of Serra, who tries to dominate the scene intentionally. The sculpture is definitely his disruptive will and control made solid and real.
Nietzsche would probably consider the Minatoya piece to be anti-art. It is subtle and humble, requiring humility and patience to understand. The artist would have, for Nietzsche, sucked the energy from that around him, consumed in order to produce rather than exude in order to produce the work.
One could also argue the reverse, seeing as how the Serra work consumes from those around it. It is an annoyance, representative of no form, no intoxication. The artist does nothing but draw from his environment. The Minatoya work, however, is brimming with excitement and exuberance. The child in the book is learning not to admire the lowly and suffering, oppressed tofu man and chicken seller. She is learning to will, to be austere and hard, living the warrior life of the samurai.
DEWEY

Question 2

Is there a relation between art and ethics being expressed in this passage? If so, what is it, and, what kind of "ethics" does it present? What can you derive from how Nietzsche might conceive of "ethics" based on what he says about art and the artist? Do you agree with his conception of ethics? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche does imply an ethics in his discussion on art. Art helps us achieve perfection. So one might say that Nietzsche implies that art makes the world better. He thinks that humans have an insatiable will to life which art helps us achieve. It gives rise to intoxication, to overflowing with an all-encompassing emotion. It eliminates all that is weak and pitiful.
If one were to disagree with Nietzsche's conception of ethics, it could be done on the grounds that the intoxicated state diminishes us by taking away our rationality. Or one might argue that a Christian conception of pity makes for a better world, and intoxication takes us away from that.

Question 3

What does Nietzsche mean by "intoxication?" How does it contribute to a striving for perfection? How does perfection relate to art for Nietzsche? Think of an example of a work of art that Nietzsche might consider to be "a compulsion to transform into the perfect." Do you see its value in the same way Nietzsche does? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche, by intoxication, means an overflowing of some emotion or thought or will. The oldest kind is overflowing all-encompassing sexuality. In the intoxicated state, since one is so overabundant, one wishes to transform things, anything, and everything, into whatever will mirror his perfection in intoxication. Art simply is this will to transform into perfection. Art is delighting in one's own perfection through overpowering and transforming some medium. Take for example Raphael, who Nietzsche cites as being an artist of this kind. Nietzsche sees Raphael's art as a reflection of Raphael's perfection, his intoxication and his need to control and put himself upon the canvas. Hence the immaculate detail, the precision, the grandeur of Raphael's art. One may agree with Nietzsche on this. However, one might disagree with his assessment that this is born of intoxication. How can one have such a consistent overflowing of some emotion? Surely Raphael's immaculate art took some very long time to make. How can one be intoxicated for so long, so regularly? It would seem only will would keep him going, but intoxication of will is the realm of the architect. It seems as though Nietzsche may be inconsistent here.

Question 4

Pater argues that what is important for the art critic is to possess a certain kind of temperament, the power of being deeply moved by the presence of beautiful objects.

Accepted Answer

Walter Pater, in his book "The Renaissance," emphasizes the importance of the critic having a sensitive temperament, capable of being profoundly affected by beauty, as a key aspect of appreciating and critiquing art.

Question 5

Nietzsche argues that intoxication is a precondition to aesthetic activity.

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche believes that states of intoxication are necessary for the creation of art and aesthetic experiences, as they allow individuals to transcend their normal boundaries and connect with primal creativity and vitality.

Question 6

Dionysian intoxication results in __________.
A) Intensified emotion
B) Heightened sense of arousal
C) Heightened sense of visual acuity
D) Paranoia

Accepted Answer

The term "Dionysian" refers to the ancient Greek god Dionysus, who was associated with wine, fertility, ritual madness, and religious ecstasy. In the context of Dionysian intoxication, it typically implies a state of ecstatic frenzy and emotional intensity, often brought on by the consumption of wine or participation in certain rituals. This concept was famously explored by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who contrasted the Dionysian with the Apollonian, representing order and rationality. Dionysian experiences are characterized by a loss of individual ego and a sense of unity with others and nature, often accompanied by intense emotions.

Question 7

Pater argues that task of the true student of aesthetics is to pontificate on art as universal, to formulate an abstract theory of the beautiful.

Accepted Answer

Walter Pater believed that the task of the true student of aesthetics was not to pontificate on art as universal or to formulate an abstract theory of the beautiful, but rather to appreciate the individual and unique qualities of each work of art. He emphasized the subjective experience of art and the importance of personal response over universal principles.

Question 8

Consider again Pater's last sentence. Take a specific work of art (in any form or medium you wish, and it does not have to be one that Pater would have known) and show how Pater would say that it gives "nothing but the highest quality to your moments as they pass, and simply for those moment's sake." What do you think that he means by that phrase? Restate it in your own words. Does Pater's theory, as exemplified in that phrase, apply to the work of art that you have in mind? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider again Pater's last sentence. Take a...

Question 9

Pater claims that our education becomes complete in proportion as __________.
A) We attain ecstasy in the universality of form
B) We grasp the metaphysical nature of abstract beauty
C) Our susceptibility to impression increases depth and variety
D) Our sense of vogue disparages of the common

Accepted Answer

Pater suggests that education becomes complete as our susceptibility to impressions increases in both depth and variety, indicating a broadening and deepening of our ability to perceive and understand the world around us.

Question 10

Dewey notes that the factors which glorified fine art arose from within the community of art itself, as propagation of false pride, and therefore only the community of art can topple the pedestal on which art now sits.

Accepted Answer

John Dewey argued that the separation of fine art from everyday experiences and the glorification of fine art above practical arts were societal developments, not just propagated by the art community itself. He believed in reconnecting art with everyday experiences and that this reconnection should involve broader societal engagement, not just the art community.

Question 11

According to Nietzsche, what is the essence of intoxication?
A) The free floating lucidity of the transcendental
B) The feeling of plenitude and increased energy
C) A total escape from mundane conventionalism
D) The honing of one's inner artistic apparition

Accepted Answer

Nietzsche associates the essence of intoxication with a feeling of plenitude and increased energy, which he sees as essential for artistic creation and the enhancement of life's experiences.

Question 12

Why does Nietzsche think that creating art makes us better human beings? What should that art be like? What should it do to us? What kind of character does the artist have? Do you agree with his conception of the role of art in making us better? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does Nietzsche think that creating art...

Question 13

Pater contends that the task of the student of aesthetics is to __________.
A) Find a universal definition of beauty
B) Define beauty as it is expressed in each particular thing
C) Apprehend the form of the beautiful
D) Understand the metaphysical abstraction of the beautiful

Accepted Answer

Pater's view on aesthetics emphasizes the importance of understanding beauty as it is uniquely expressed in each particular thing, rather than seeking a universal definition or delving into metaphysical abstractions.

Question 14

According to Dewey, what is the primary task of one who writes upon philosophy of the final arts?
A) To theorize about the nature of beauty
B) To delineate the beautify and the ordinary
C) To restore continuity between refined experience of art and everyday experience
D) To transcend the absolute in experience

Accepted Answer

Dewey believed the primary task in writing about the philosophy of the fine arts was to restore continuity between the refined and aesthetic experience of art and the everyday experiences of life, emphasizing the integration of art and life.

Question 15

What does Dewey cite as the source of the "museum conception" of art?
A) The fact that most museums in Europe are memorials of the rise of nationalism
B) The fact that museums are often arenas for exhibiting loot gathered by its monarchs in conquest of other nations
C) The growth of capitalism
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Dewey argues that the "museum conception" of art stems from a combination of factors, including the historical role of museums as memorials to nationalism, their function as showcases for loot acquired through conquest, and the influence of capitalism on art's commodification and presentation.

Question 16

Pater contends that the job of the philosopher is to rouse the human spirit to a life of constant and eager observation.

Accepted Answer

Walter Pater, a 19th-century English critic and essayist, believed in the importance of art and philosophy in stimulating intellectual and sensory experiences. He argued that the role of the philosopher, much like the artist, is to awaken and invigorate the human spirit towards a life of keen observation and appreciation of beauty, suggesting a life of constant and eager observation. This idea is particularly evident in his works like "The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry," where he emphasizes the value of experiencing life fully and intensely.

Question 17

How does Pater view life (or "success in life")? How, according to Pater, can art help us achieve that success? Do you agree with his view? Why or why not? If you took his view seriously, how, if at all, would your relationship to art change? Would it be a change for the better? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Pater view life (or "success...

Question 18

How does Nietzsche define "art?"
A) The compulsion to transform into the perfect
B) The love of beauty
C) Capturing perfect beauty
D) Creating something out of nothing

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Nietzsche define "art?"
A) The compulsion...

Question 19

What does Nietzsche say about Christianity and art?
A) The Sistene Chapel is the epitome of Christian art.
B) Christian art demoralizes man-e.g., Dante's Inferno
C) The pragmatic application of Christian art annihilates its transcendence
D) No Christian merits the title "artist"

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Nietzsche say about Christianity and...

Question 20

Which of the following characterizes the nature of the problem that concerns Dewey?
A) The poor quality of art these days
B) The compartmentalization of fine art
C) The failure of philosophers to define beauty
D) The intoxication of artists

Accepted Answer

Dewey is concerned with the compartmentalization of fine art, which he believes has become too separated from everyday experiences. He also addresses the issue of artists being overly absorbed or "intoxicated" by their own creations, losing touch with the broader social and communicative functions of art.

Quiz 12: Creating

Think of examples of art (in any art form-for example, music, painting. architecture, and drama) that Nietzsche would consider art and that he would consider "anti-art." Do you agree with what you think his evaluation of them would be? Why or why not?

Pater argues that what is important for the art critic is to possess a certain kind of temperament, the power of being deeply moved by the presence of beautiful objects.

Nietzsche argues that intoxication is a precondition to aesthetic activity.

Dionysian intoxication results in __________.

Pater argues that task of the true student of aesthetics is to pontificate on art as universal, to formulate an abstract theory of the beautiful.

Pater claims that our education becomes complete in proportion as __________.

Dewey notes that the factors which glorified fine art arose from within the community of art itself, as propagation of false pride, and therefore only the community of art can topple the pedestal on which art now sits.

According to Nietzsche, what is the essence of intoxication?

Why does Nietzsche think that creating art makes us better human beings? What should that art be like? What should it do to us? What kind of character does the artist have? Do you agree with his conception of the role of art in making us better? Why or why not?

Pater contends that the task of the student of aesthetics is to __________.

According to Dewey, what is the primary task of one who writes upon philosophy of the final arts?

What does Dewey cite as the source of the "museum conception" of art?

Pater contends that the job of the philosopher is to rouse the human spirit to a life of constant and eager observation.

How does Pater view life (or "success in life")? How, according to Pater, can art help us achieve that success? Do you agree with his view? Why or why not? If you took his view seriously, how, if at all, would your relationship to art change? Would it be a change for the better? Why or why not?

How does Nietzsche define "art?" A) The compulsion to transform into the perfect B) The love of beauty C) Capturing perfect beauty D) Creating something out of nothing

What does Nietzsche say about Christianity and art?

Which of the following characterizes the nature of the problem that concerns Dewey?