Module #2

Kimberlin Gomez

Module #2 

1. For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.  

CARTA: Evolutionary Origins of Art andAesthetics: Neurobiology, Neurology and Art and Aesthetics

• The effect that art has on the human mind. And how we are unaware of that effect unless we think about it. Also how human art plays a part of the creation and development of art. The effect the brain has when viewing art. 
•  Ramanchandran's example of peak shift
• The eight laws of art 

Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts 

• Different philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, John Dewey, R.G Collington, ect
• The different definitions of art all philosophers had 
• The different mindset and thinking the philosophers had 

What the brain form : Art and Neuroscience 

• Concept of lines- how our brain depicts lines 
• Faces- trigger emotional responses 
• Everyone has a different definition of what is art 

2. Which philosopher's theory on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosopher's name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.

The philosophers theory on aesthetics that I feel is the most important is Plato because not only was he an early philosopher but he was a founder of the thoughts of other philosophers. His opinion influenced greatly the beliefs of the philosophers after him. He was a teacher of the also very well known philosopher, Aristotle. He was alive during the classical period in Ancient Greece. Plato was very known for founding his Academy north of Athens and his dialogues about the idea of beauty. His beliefs were of a perfect state that must contain 4 qualities, wisdom, courage, self discipline and wise-decisions. Plato brought the question of what exactly can be considered art. For example he argued that there isn't any art to writing poetry, that the poet doesn't really even know if his statements are factual. He argued that poets only knowledge was how to imitate the appearance of a specific task is (ex. The task of being a husband) 

3. What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speaker's lecture? 

Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art is very complex and specific. They both have great definitions of aesthetics and art. Both of these gentlemen made me believe that having your own personal definition is of great importance and in order to fully understand other definition of this concept you must create your own. What I found most interesting was Changeux's lecture was the Discovery of Art Composition regarding the Homo Sapiens, during this discussion Changeux compared art to human beings and this is what I found mind blowing. Because he was describing the human body as if it was a work of art. And since I am fairly new to the topic of art I've never heard anything like it. In  Ramachandran's lecture I found it interesting what he said about the brain and the effects that art has on it. I found this interesting because I never noticed this until now that I heard him speak about it. 

4. How do the videos and articles relate to the readings in the text?

Both the articles and the videos are very similar, they both talked about artists and philosophers, and their opinions on art. These opinions shaped the way that art is viewed and how it defined today. They both discuss arts history and the importance of the way art has been shaped. 

5. What is your opinion of the films and article? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading in the text?

The films and the article gave me a deeper understanding of art and aesthetics. After reading and watching the films I've created my own definition of what art and aesthetics is, with the help of the opinions of philosophers. I also found myself disagreeing with philosophers. For example I believe that poetry is a form or art, something which Plato disagreed heavily on.