Philosophy and the Arts, Lecture 2:

1. Philosophy and the Arts,Lecture 2: The Play Theory and Empathy

2. The Play Theory and Empathy • There are certain historically important theories of aesthetics that, while perhaps not at the center of current discussions, are still worth knowing. Two of these are the Play Theory and the Theory of Empathy. Let’s consider the Empathy theory first.

3. The Empathy Theory!! • This theory is better illustrated than described.

4. In the 19th century, George Macdonald wrote: • For I am always climbing hills,And ever passing on,Hoping on some high mountain peakTo find my Father's throne;For hitherto I've only foundHis footsteps in the stone. • Vernon Lee simply noted that we say, “The Mountain Rises,” but the mountain doesn’t go anywhere. Our gaze rises, sometimes in awe.

6. Who are those people?? • Well, the building is the Parthenon. What the Empathy theory notes is that the pillars seem to support the top as if it were a light weight----whereas a spindly set of columns would make us uneasy. • Also, can we have a good feeling of empathy with this?

7. What is that?? • It’s a Palestinian suicide bomber, in what is supposed to be a pool of blood.

8. Now turn to the Play Theory • The problem is there are several “Play theories.” I Consider only three. • First, Herbert Spencer connected art with evolutionary theory, and thought this was one of those things that would fade away as the species advanced. Santayana had a great response: “But if all the useless ornamentsof our life are to be cut off in the process of adaptation, evolution would impoverish instead of enriching our nature.” • Second, some theorists, such as Karl Groos, thought of art as a form of play, raised (is that the word I want?) to meet the needs of adults. Those who consider art to be serious business often find this insulting. • Third and finally, Friedrich Schiller, in his Letters on the Aesthetic Education of Man, set forth a more complicated view in response to the Ethics of Kant. I’m afraid this takes a bit of explaining----but Mary, Queen of Scots was an example of what he had in mind.

9. I suppose I like Schiller most—great poet and Philosopher!

10. Recall his “Mary Stuart!!”

11. It would take hours to explain properly, but Kant made a sharp distinction between duty & inclination. But Schiller argued that ,surely, a really good man is not one who does his duty with aversion. Well, I said it could take hours… Got an afternoon to spare?? Duty + Inclination = Play??