Part I: Introduction
In this handout, the connection of art to humanities will be discussed; the

“Man is the measure of all things”, according to Protagoras (481-411 BCE)

Art is just one part of the world of Humanities.

Humanities came from the Latin word “humanus” means human, cultured,
and refined.
significance of studying humanities, Principles of humanities; Nature, functions, and
views of philosophers of/ or to art; differences of artist and artisan, the art forms,

To be human is to show characteristics of rationality, benevolence, and care;
to be cultured and refines is to show good tastes and manners indicative of
and appreciation of art.
good, proper education.
Humanities and the Arts

Humanities studies man and the manner in which he conducts himself from
the time of his existence to the present. (Martin & Jacobus, 2004)

Below are the other disciplines connected with Humanities.
ARTS &
MUSIC
PHILOSOPHY
LITERATURE
HUMANITIES
The Vitruvian Man (1490)
HISTORY
For viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyKXJhHwqWk
RELIGIOUS
STUDIES
The Vitruvian Man’s connection with humanities and other field.
Thoughts to Ponder:
1. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE CONVEYED BY THE IMAGE OF DA VINCI’S VITRUVIAN
MAN?
2. WHAT IS HUMANITIES?
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HUMANITIES
Human nature is inherently good.
Individuals are free and are capable of making choices.
Human potential for growth and development is virtually
unlimited.
Self- concept plays an important role in growth and
development.
Individuals have an urge for self- actualization.
Reality is defined by each person.
1. The human need for expression: built- in the human psyche; to
Individuals have a responsibility to both themselves and to
exhibit what is hidden in man’s inner world; thoughts, emotions,
others.
imaginations, dreams, and aspirations are expressed.
NATURE OF THE ARTS
 Art comes Aryan root ‘ar’, which means ‘to join’, or ‘to put
2. The social need for display, celebration, and communication. The
need to share, and convey it to others; interconnectedness.
3. The physical need for functional objects. All art is man- made. All
together’. The Latin ‘sars, artis, mean everything that is artificially
of technology, objects for human life betterment, combination of
made or composed by man.
form and function.
 Refers to the skillful arrangement or composition of some common
but significant qualities of nature such as sounds, colors, lines,
LEARNING TASK!
movements, words, stone, and wood to express feelings, thoughts,
DIRECTIONS: Choose an object that you have trouble using. Make a
imaginations, and dreams in an amazing, meaningful, and enjoyable
plan on how to change the form of this object to make it more
way. (Adams, 2002).
functional. Share your plan with the class.
A. Arts deals with man’s internal world, his personality and
experiences, matters that cannot be directly measured,
Insight/s: 1. What significant learning about form and function did you
classified, or controlled.
gain from the activity?
B. Art is subjective; employs the use of perception, insights,
feelings, and intuition.
C. Art provides enjoyment and stimulation.
ART: AS VIEWED BY PHILOSOPHY
D. Art provides people with an image of themselves to enable
them to further understand their nature.
Aesthetics: philosophical study of beauty and taste.
KINDS OF ART FORMS
1. Functional art forms: makes man’s life better; architecture,
weaving, and furniture- making.
2. Non- functional art forms: the human need for beauty and
aesthetics transcends sensual amusement and to the cultured
elevates human expression bringing it closer to the divine; painting,
sculpture, literature, music, dance, and theater.
FUNCTIONS OF ART FORMS
1. PLATO (428- 347 BCE):
a. Philosopher of Ancient Greece.
b. Known for his Dialogues (including his equally famous teacher,
Socrates)
c. Love and hated arts at the same time.
d. Good literary stylist and great story teller.
e. Even if possessing artistic abilities, he considered art as
threatening.
f. He explained that physical world is a copy of a perfect, rational,
eternal, and changeless original.
g. ORIGINALS are called FORMS.
h. Two Ideas of the arts: (1) ART IS IMITATION- put people farther
3. IMMANUEL KANT (1724- 1804)
a. German, Enlightenment philosopher
b. Wrote a treatise on Aesthetics entitled, Observations on the
Feelings of the Beautiful and the Sublime.
away the truth; great for entertainment; (2) ART IS
c. Interest was not in art itself but on beauty.
DANGEROUS- has power to stir emotions; should not go
d. Beauty is a matter of taste.
uncensored.
D1. Subjective taste. Does not focus on the properties of the
object itself but rather on the pleasure one experiences as he
responds to it.
D2. Universal taste. Non- aesthetic and does not consider the
beauty of the work or the mastery of the artist, but rather, the
artwork is appreciated for what it is.
2. ARISTOTLE (384- 322 BCE)
a.
Philosopher of Ancient Greece.
b. Student of Plato.
c.
e. Beauty is a question of form, and color is not important.
f. Two kinds of aesthetic responses. (1) beauty results in pleasure
if there is order, harmony, and symmetry, and (2) beauty leads
Distinguished what is good (presents itself in some action) and
to a response of awe that overwhelms the viewers of the art.
what is beautiful (may exist even in motionless objects/ things).
(Aesthetics, n.d.).
d. Universal elements of beauty are manifested by order,
symmetry, and definiteness.
e. Poetics; emphasis was on poetry.
f.
Poetry was more philosophic and serious that philosophy itself.
Poets imitated three things, (1) things and events which have
been and still are; (2) things which are said to be seen and are
probable; and (3) things which essentially are.
ARTIST
A person who exhibits exceptional
skills in visual/ performing arts.
More sensitive, very perceptive,
and more creative.
ARTISAN
A person who is in skilled trade
that involves making things by
hand.
Creations may be functional or
decorative
Words, pigments, clays, stones,
musical notes, or any combination
Form and substance
Furniture, sculpture, glass
figurines, metalwork, clothing,
jewelry, food items, and
handicrafts
Technique and medium
Handmade products are priced
more than commercial products
Woodcarvers of Paete, Laguna,
ceramic makers of Tiwi, Albay,
basket weavers of Pangasinan,
piña weavers of Kalibo, Aklan.
3. Architecture.
The most functional of all art forms; creating designs for buildings
THE ART FORMS
1. Painting.
Application of pigment to a surface; two-dimensional; example
Luna’s Spoliarium, Botticeli’s Inferno.
2. Sculpture.
and infrastructures; with help of engineers, contractors, and skilled
workers; only after the structure is built will the art be fully
appreciated; examples are The Cultural Center of the Philippines in
Manila and BurjKhalifa in Dubai.
4. Music.
Three- dimensional; creates a solid form using molding, carving,
Art of sound expressed through a song, through the use of
welding, casting, and assembling; medium are clay, wood, stone,
instruments or a combination of both; expressed harmony, rhythm,
metal, ice, glass, and plastic; examples are Tolentino’s Bonifacio
and melody. Examples are Philippine’s Kundiman and Beethoven’s
Monument and Michelangelo’s David.
Symphony No. 5.
5. Dance.
Art of body movement that is attuned to a musical piece;
movements should be graceful and in rhythm with the
accompanying musical piece. Examples are Philippine folkdances
like Tinikling, Singkil and Ballet.
7. Theater.
The performance of drama; actors perform on stage in front of live
audience; Dialogues may be recited, sang, or eliminated
(pantomimes); referred to as combines or performing arts;
including music, dance, and literature. Examples are Phantom of
the Opera and Noli Me Tangere.
6. Literature.
Art of using words to express thought, ideas, and feeling; take the
form of poetry, novel, short story, essay, epic, legends, etc.;
Examples are Homer’s Iliad and Nick Joaquin’s Woman Who Had
Two Navels.
Contemporary society art forms
8. Photography
9. Digital arts
10. Installations
CLASSIFICATIONS OF ART FORMS
1. Visual arts: painting, sculpture, architecture, literature
2. Performing arts: music, dance, theater, literature