Concepts in aesthetics

My purpose in this essay is to define ethical relativism along with what the different forms that ethical relativism can take. I will describe what sorts of arguments can be expressed in favor of ethical relativism, what sorts of arguments can be derived against ethical relativism. I disagree with the moral relativism theory because it denies that there are certain actions which are obviously perceived to be undeniably evil, and the theory contradicts itself by claiming that there are no…

Kantian ethics, the moral philosophy established by Immanual Kant in his work Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals, is centered around the idea of the “categorical imperative”, the principle that certain actions are strictly prohibited, despite the potential for the prohibited action to bring about more good than the alternative. Kant believed that since humans have the ability to reason, they must use their rationale to determine what these unwavering truths, or moral duties, are…

immense amount of pressure placed on humans by Act Utilitarianism. The inherent nature of man is selfish: children must be taught to share and consider the feelings of others; they must be taught to be self-aware. This is because of an evolutionary concept: man, in his natural state, thinks of his own needs first. Rule Utilitarianism then permits for this disposition in that it provides a set of rules that is determined before any situations arise. This allows one to be fully aware of the…

“What the modern means of reproduction have done is to destroy the authority of art and to remove it.” (Berger, 126) This quote from, ‘Ways of Seeing’ indicates a portion of John Berger’s bitterness towards the reproduction of art. Throughout his essay he states that reproduction has belittled the original, and has made images of art valueless. On the contrary, I believe that the reproduction of art has generated countless benefits for the art community, such as knowledge, popularity, and value.…

David Hume’s belief that morality is based on sentiment can be defined by the feelings of approval and disapproval one will have when they act. Hume argues that reason cannot discover moral truths but that sentiment is the basis of morality. I agree with Hume in the sense that one needs a feeling of approval or disapproval in order to motivate an action. Hume presents the argument that one's feelings is the basis of morality and that reasons, not reason alone, which is defined to be a cause or…

Patti Warashina is a Japanese-American ceramic sculptor whose body of work spans over four decades. Warashina is well known for her work with the human figure, influenced by Surrealism. However, a closer look at her work provides audiences with a narrative of self-inspiration and self-reflection that affirms Warashina’s own life and body. Her artwork is a “virtual diary” of the female body and in her pieces, she hopes to portray her fascination and interest in the eccentricities and…

Moral Theories Moral theories aim is to guide us in determining the actions that are right or wrong. This essay will be on the four moral theories formulated by the following philosophers, Kant, Mill, Aristotle and Held. The main difference that exists among these theories has more to do with their approaches to resolving a moral dilemma, rather than in the moral conclusions reached. Kant’s uses the deontology approach, which is the principle of duty and fulfilling obligation, while Mill’s…

Their association with love and beauty are what make diamonds so precious. The fascination with diamonds isn't a modern-day phenomenon. Their history is entwined with the history of the world itself. A Roman naturalist in the first century AD described a diamond as "...the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world." Every ton of rock yields barely a half a carat of diamonds, which makes mining a long and arduous process. By slipping a diamond on your finger you…

that they “prefer their suffering which they propose as an unassailable index of their goodness. The slaves could retaliate if they so desired… but they choose instead the righteous path of suffering and self-deprivation.” (Conway, 46). Thus, this concept of ‘free will’ allows the slaves to interpret the suffering they endure, which is caused by the nobles, as a virtuous…

For me, cultural capital in the form of the objectified state has played a large role in shaping my life and personality. In the reading, Bourdieu defines objectified cultural capital as that of which physically or symbolically connotes one’s tastes and/or status. Examples of physical/material cultural capital would include paintings, instruments, writings, etc. Examples of symbolic cultural capital would include musical tastes, experiences obtained, knowledge gained, etc. Cultural capital…