Week 3: FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART

3.1 Introduction:
In the previous topic, you learned the definition, assumptions on art and the elements of art
appreciation. In the next topic, you will be enlightened on the philosophical foundation of art which is the
product of philosophers’ reflections on aesthetics.

3.2 Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, the students are expected to;
1. distinguish the difference between directly functional and indirectly functional art.
2. apply the philosophical theories on beauty in real life scenarios.

3.3 Discussion:
FUNCTIONS OF ART
When one speaks of functions, one is practically talking about the use of the object whose function
is in question. An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry on what art are for alternatively, the answer to
the question “what is it for” is the function of whatever “ it” in the question refers to.
When it comes to function, different art forms come with distinctive functions. There is no one-to-one
correspondence between an art and its function. Some art forms are more functional than others.
Architecture, for example, as an art is highly functional just like most applied arts. A building as a work of art
is obviously made for a specific purpose. The Taj Mahal, a massive mausoleum of white marble built in Agra
was constructed in memory of the favorite wife of the then emperor, Shah Jahan.

PERSONAL FUNCTIONS OF ART

The personal function of art is varied and highly subjective. It means that its functions depend on the
person-the artist who created the art. An artist may create an art out of the need for self-expression. This is
the case for an artist who needs to communicate an idea to his audience. Often, the artist may not even
intend to mean anything with his work.
An art may also therapeutic. In some orphanages and home for abandoned elders, art is used to
help residents process their emotions. Recently, the use of adult coloring books to de-stress has been
apparent too, now with a lot of designs being sold in bookstore nationwide. These all fall under personal
functions of art.

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.
PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
The physical functions of art are the easiest to spot and understand. The physical functions of art
can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve physical purpose. A Japanese raku bowl that
serves a physical function in a tea ceremony is an example. Architecture, jewelry-making, and even interior
design are all forms of arts that have physical function.

OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART

Music as an art is also interesting to talk about in relation to function.
 Music in its original form was principally functional. Music was used for dance and religion. Unlike
today, when one can just listen to music for the sake of music’s sake, the ancient world saw music only as
an instrument to facilitate worship and invocation to gods. Music also was essential to dance because music
assures synchronicity among dancers.
Today, music has expanded its function and coverage. Music listened to and made by people for
reasons that were foreign to early civilizations.

FOUR MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ART

1. AESTHETIC FUNCTION
Through art, man becomes conscious of the beauty of nature. He benefits from his own work
and from those done by his fellowmen. He learns to use, love, and preserve them for his enjoyment
and appreciation.
2. UTILITARIAN FUNCTION
With the creation of the various forms of art, man now lives in comfort and happiness.
Through art, man is provided with shelter, clothing food, light, medicine, beautiful surroundings,
personal ornamentals, entertainment, language, transportation and other necessities and
conveniences of life.
3. CULTURAL FUNCTION
Through the printed matter, art transmits and preserves skills and knowledge from one
generation to another. It burdens one’s cultural background and makes man more civilized and his
life more enduring and satisfying.
4. SOCIAL FUNCTION
Through civic and graphic arts, man learns to love and help each other. International
understanding and cooperation are fostered and nations become more unified, friendly, cooperative,
helpful and sympathetic.

3.3.2. Philosophical Perspectives on Art

1.Plato: Art as an Imitation

Plato (2000) in his masterpiece, the Republic, described the picture of the artist as merely imitation
of the reality.
Plato was deeply suspicious of arts for two reasons: they appeal to the emotion rather than to the
rational faculty of men and they imitate rather than lead one to reality.
2. Aristotle: Art as a representation
Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the world has an end, or telos
in Greek, which translates into “purpose”. Every substance, defined as a formed matter, moves according to
a fixed path towards its aim. A seed is bound to become a full-grown plant. A cocoon can look forward to
flying high when it morphs into a butterfly. A baby will eventually turn into grown man or woman. This telos,
according to Aristotle, is intricately linked with function. For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its
function. Man, in Aristotle’s view of reality, is bound to achieve a life of fulfillment and happiness, or in Greek,
eudaimonia. All men move toward this final end. However, happiness, the supposed end of man, is linked
with this function, which is being rational. This means that to Aristotle, plants can never be happy because
they are not rational, as well as tables and chairs. Man’s natural end, telos, is connected with his function,
which is his rationality.
Aristotle, Plato’s most important student in philosophy, agreed with his teacher that art is a form of
imitation. In contrast to Plato, Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in revealing truth. The kind of
imitation that art does is not antithetical to the reaching of fundamental truths in the world. Talking about
tragedies, for example, Aristotle (1902) in the Poetics claimed that poetry is a literary representation in
general. There are two particular purposes of Art;
1. Art allows for the experience of pleasure. Experiences that are otherwise repugnant can become
entertaining in art. For example, a horrible experience can be made an object of humor in a comedy.
2. Art also has an ability to be instructive and teach its audience things about life; thus, it is cognitive
as well. Greek plays are usually of this nature.

3.Immanuel Kant: Art is Disinterested Judgement

In the third critique that Immanuel Kant wrote, the “Critique of Judgement,” Kant considered the
judgement of beauty, the cornerstone of art, as something that can be universal despite its subjectivity.
Kant mentioned that judgement of beauty, and therefore, art, is innately autonomous from specific
interests. It is the form of art that is adjudged by one who perceives art to be beautiful or more so, sublime.
Therefore, even aesthetic judgement for Kant is a cognitive activity.

3.Leo Tolstoy: Art as Communication of emotion

The author of war and peace and Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy, provided another perspective on what
art is. In his book, what is art (2016), Tolstoy defended the production of the sometimes truly extravagant
art like operas, despite extreme poverty in the world. For him, art plays a huge role in communication to
its audience’s emotions that the artist previously experienced. Art then serves as a language, a
communication device that articulates feelings and emotions that are otherwise unavailable to the
audience. In the same way that language communicates information to other people, art communicates
emotions. In listening to music, in watching an opera, and in reading poems, the audience is at the
receiving end of the artist communicating his feelings and emotions,

Summary:
Art has remained relevant in our daily lives because most of it has played some form of function for
man. Art has been considered as giver of man’s existence. The different functions of art such as personal,
social, physical, aesthetics, cultural and utilitarian give life to the society. However, philosophers viewed art
in different way like Plato treated art as imitation, Aristotle considered art as representation, Kant argued that
judgement of beauty as subjective feeling can be considered as universal or objective. For example, a
painting can give a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction from any perceiver regardless of his condition.