In this course, we will examine a broad set of philosophical questions about art. What is art? Why does it matter? Are there objective standards of taste, or is beauty in the eye of the beholder? What is the relationship between aesthetics and ethics? In addition to these general questions, we will consider specific philosophical puzzles posed by other issues in the arts, which may include adaptation, guilty pleasures, snobbery, subtlety, AI-generated art, and the paradox of horror, among other topics. Cases will range from fine art to popular music to film and television.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Prerequisites: None

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video; EC - Epistemology and Cognition

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered; Spring

Notes: Subfield B