Example research essay topic: Ancient Greek Twentieth Century - 1,069 words

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Philosophy of Art It is quite hard to argue about what concept of art represents the true essence of this socio-philosophical phenomenon in 3 pages paper. It has to be kept in mind that historical definitions of art are largely based on peoples irrational predispositions. Nevertheless, we can define four largely accepted concepts of art. The first is classical one, when persons drive to express itself is done thorough the means of art and is described in divine terms.

Leonardo De Vinci once said that art is a true philosophy because it strives to reflect upon surrounding reality, in order to discover its true essence. Such approach is very typical for ancient Greek and Renaissance artists. Plato had suggested that physical reality is actually a shadow of more perfect realm. His theory of thing in itself helps us to understand how ancient Greek artists envisioned the role of art from social prospective. Up to this day, we associate ancient art with ultimate perfectness of forms and projections. It is applied to Greek sculptures as much as to Greek theatre and literature of the time.

The principle of capability between mind and body was the greatest inspirational factor for the artists of Renaissance era, when Christian depictions of retards, impotent's and madmen as saints began to be slowly replaced with depictions of healthy individuals, who enjoy life to its fullest. Leonardo's Mona Lisa is a good example of European art getting back on its natural track it is a portrait of healthy young woman. People are still captivated by her mysterious smile. The true significance of her smile is that now we associate it with European art breaking out of Christian captivity. In my opinion, the ancient concept of art is the most accurate one.

It is not a secret that there are still many ancient Greek socio-political ideas that have never became outdated, up to this time, like the concept of democracy. But it is important to understand that such ideas are inseparable from art and science. Art, philosophy and political activity used to be considered by ancients as different aspects of ones existence. Back in those times, it was self-evident that there can only be three ideals to strive for health, beauty and intelligence. But it is impossible to focus on pursuing just one of these ideals, since they derive from each other. It is not by accident that many ancient Greek philosophers used be athletes and artists at the same time.

Later in history, when psychological gap between artists body and mind began to deepen, philosophers started to come up with different concepts of art. Nevertheless, up to the rising of degenerative art, in the beginning of twentieth century, such concepts can be described as highly idealistic, which tells us that Renaissance spirit was still alive even in 18 th century, when Shelling described art as the supreme form of knowledge. His theory is usually opposed to Hegel's, who suggested that art is only an attributive factor of Western civilization. He thought that it was only the philosophy that enabled it to progress. In 19 th century, after Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche began to describe philosophy in terms of art, there was brief revival of ancient ideas of beauty and intellect, as one un dividable entity. During this time, European art was able to attain higher excellence in the field of literature and music.

We now refer to it as period of romanticism. The names of Byron, Dostoevsky, Dickens, Kipling, Goethe, Wagner, Rossini, Tchaikovsky and many others will forever remain in the history of art. In the beginning of twentieth century many philosophers began to think of art as a tool, which would enable humankind to survive in the long run. Oswald Spengler had rightly pointed out that it is an ability to operate with abstract categories that allowed Europeans to gain an excellence in the field of science. Still, this ability derives from the fact that they can alter their visual and emotional impressions to the degree, when such impressions become the forms of art.

Only through differentiating from our sensual side allows us to analyze our place in the world. Spengler came to the conclusion that the losing an ability to think abstract matters will result in the decline of the West. Yet, he excluded biological factors from his vision of the role of art. In my opinion, the history of 20 th century proves the fact that biological degradation also affects art in most profound way. The paintings of Van Hog are now sold for the millions of dollars, while its author was officially recognized as being mentally challenged The reason why people appreciate degenerative art is because they become more marginalized and diversified. The last century, before the downfall of Roman Empire, was signified with staging huge gladiators shows in Coliseum, by the emperors who sought public support.

The only way to attract marginalized population to these shows, at the time, was making them more shocking and graphic. Only a direct onslaught on peoples senses could vitalize them for a while When people do not care about anything but intensify their anomalistic feelings, it means that they slowly degrade. Malevitch Black Square is considered to be very deep painting, while any 5 year old child could produce the same There is story of naked king socializing with his court, while everyone thinks that their vision is being impaired, because they could not believe it, before someone yelled the King is naked! In my opinion, only the ancient concept of art, as integral social phenomenon, corresponds to its true nature better than any other.

If great artists of the past were brought back to life and told that the hawks of political-correctness consider graffiti as form of art, they would die from laughing or crying. The ugliness can be proclaimed as beauty but its true essence will still remain the same. I think that there can be no compromise reached between those who think of art as the ultimate expression of human divine nature and those who use it as a tool to shock public, in order to pursue their secular agendas. If painting, play, novel or musical piece is essentially garbage, it has to be taken to the place where garbage belongs damp. People should be allowed to freely discuss their artful preferences, but only after having been certified by the psychiatrist

Research essay sample on Ancient Greek Twentieth Century