Beyond art

Dominic McIver Lopes articulates and defends a 'buck passing theory of art', namely that a work of art is nothing but a work in one of the arts. Having traced philosophical interest in theories of art to a reaction to certain puzzle cases of avant-garde art, he argues that none of the theories that have dominated philosophy since the 1960s adequately copes with these works. Whereas these theories have reached a dialectical impasse wherein they reiterate, and cannot resolve, disagreement over the puzzle cases, the buck passing theory illuminates the radical provocations of avant-garde art. In addition, when supplemented by a systematic framework for crafting theories of the individual arts, the buck passing theory grounds our empirical inquiries into the arts as well as our practices of appreciation and art criticism. Lopes seeks to model the diverse strategies employed by humanists and social and behavioural scientists who study the different arts. He gives the specificity of each art form a central role in our appreciative endeavours, and yet he stresses the continuity of the arts with similar, non-art activities such as fashion design, sports and games, cuisine, nature appreciation, and non-literary writing. The Author Articulates And Defends A Buck Passing Theory Of Art, Namely That A Work Of Art Is Nothing But A Work In One Of The Arts. Having Traced Philosophical Interest In Theories Of Art To A Reaction To Certain Puzzle Cases Of Avant-garde Art, He Argues That None Of The Theories That Have Dominated Philosophy Since The 1960s Adequately Copes With These Works. Whereas These Theories Have Reached A Dialectical Impasse Wherein They Reiterate, And Cannot Resolve, Disagreement Over The Puzzle Cases, The Buck Passing Theory Illuminates The Radical Provocations Of Avant-garde Art. In Addition, When Supplemented By A Systematic Framework For Crafting Theories Of The Individual Arts, The Buck Passing Theory Grounds Our Empirical Inquiries Into The Arts As Well As Our Practices Of Appreciation And Art Criticism. Lopes Seeks To Model The Diverse Strategies Employed By Humanists And Social And Behavioural Scientists Who Study The Different Arts. He Gives The Specificity Of Each Art Form A Central Role In Our Appreciative Endeavours, And Yet He Stresses The Continuity Of The Arts With Similar, Non-art Activities Such As Fashion Design, Sports And Games, Cuisine, Nature Appreciation, And Non-literary Writing. 1. Beyond Theories Of Art -- 2. After The Beginning Of Art -- 3. Passing The Buck On Art -- 4. Art In Culture -- 5. The Myth Of Artistic Value -- 6. Beyond Bricolage -- 7. Appreciative Kinds And Media -- 8. Appreciative Practices -- 9. Aesthetic Appreciation -- 10. Much Ado About Art. Dominic Mciver Lopes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [207]-220) And Index. Beyond Art articulates and defends a ‘buck passing theory of art’, namely that a work of art is nothing but a work in a specific art form. Having traced philosophical interest in theories of art to a reaction to certain puzzle cases of avant-garde art, it argues that none of the theories that have dominated philosophy since the 1960s adequately copes with these works. These theories have reached a dialectical impasse wherein they reiterate, and cannot resolve, disagreement over the puzzle cases, whereas the buck passing theory illuminates the radical provocations of avant-garde art. In addition, when supplemented by a systematic framework for crafting theories of the individual arts in terms of their media, the buck passing theory grounds our empirical inquiries into the arts as well as our practices of appreciation and art criticism. The book seeks to model the diverse strategies employed by humanists and social and behavioural scientists who study the different arts. It gives the specificity of each art form a central role in our appreciative endeavours while stressing the continuity of the arts with similar, non-art cultural activities such as fashion design, sports and games, cuisine, nature appreciation, and non-literary writing Dominic McIver Lopes articulates and defends a 'buck passing theory of art', namely that a work of art is nothing but a work in one of the arts. He gives the specificity of each art form a central role in our appreciative endeavours, and yet he stresses the continuity of the arts with similar, non-art activities such as fashion design, sports and games, cuisine, nature appreciation, and non-literary writing. Abstract: This book offers a bold new approach to the philosophy of art. General theories of art don't work: they can't deal with problem cases. Instead of trying to define art, we should accept that a work of art is nothing but a work in one of the arts. Lopes's buck passing theory works well for the avant garde, illuminating its radical provocations. Read more... Content: Introduction 1. Beyond Theories of Art 2. After the Beginning of Art 3. Passing the Buck on Art 4. Art in Culture 5. The Myth of Artistic Value 6. Beyond Bricolage 7. Appreciative Kinds and Media 8. Appreciative Practices 9. Aesthetic Appreciation 10. Much Ado about Art Afterword References Index