Critical Paper on “The Role of Theory in Aesthetics” by Morris Weitz
In this paper, the article that we are about to critique is The Role of Theories in Aesthetics,
by Morris W. The Theories of Role in Aestheticsconsists of first, anti-essentialism, which means
there is no distinct way of doing a specific piece of art. Second, family resemblance wherein all
arts have their own type even if a ‘no art’ is one of its types. Third, historico-cultural relevance,
which means to anyone, art may be anything. It depends on the culture or the background. Fourth
is the open concept of art, for everyone, a specific art can always be done creatively by whatever
humans do, like to look at, or experience. Fifth is the aesthetic experience, which means the
theories about the aesthetic of art should focus only on the experience, beliefs, or response of the
possible viewer.
The author who proposes and specifically changes the theories on the role of aesthetics is
Morris Weitz. According to Bresnahan (2014), he is an American philosopher of aesthetics with a
primary interest in ontology, interpretation, and literary criticism. His intention in the “Role of
Theories in Aesthetics” was to plead that in ancient times aesthetic theories were worthless in
terms of making a definition of true art. Eventually, in his article, he recognizes the theories of
aesthetics as not worthless as it may seem, but the theories of aesthetics are core or important
of teaching us what to look for and how to view a certain work of art. It is agreeable that the role
of aesthetics has the essence of how the audience, also the artist should take into consideration the
properties of how to understand the art was really an excellent work of art.
Of all the theories provided on the Role of Aesthetics, the one that may fall into the calling
question is Anti-essentialism which means there is no right way of doing art. However, as an
alternative “shouldn’t art have a limitation for doing it freely?” We all know that art is a free way
to project one’s feelings or beliefs, however, we should also remember that the principles of art
are being followed. We should bear in mind that drawing a line and putting color to it can be
considered already as an art. That is why the principles of artists are created and using elements of
art effectively. As the principles of artist according to (Arts, 2021). (2019), it involves following
the Persistence, Passion, Fearlessness, Discipline, and Patience. But since art is subjective, the
views of the other audience into a certain art can show a different belief to other people. People
tend to have their own perspective on how to show any art form such as creating painting, a theater
show, or writing music.
The only limitation of making an art is through the artists’ creativity and the understanding
of the viewer. There is art is perceived as crossing a line or inappropriate to look at, but powerful
and passionate to others. One may look for example of Pura Luca and his so-called art. According
to (BBC News, 2023), Pura Luca is a drag artist who dressed as Jesus Christ in his performance
which he plays a remix music of the Lord’s Prayer which is the “Ama Namin’. From the statement
of Pura Luca, he said that his performance in the club is just a work of art. But for many people,
his free of expression were a mockery of into the Catholic Church. Another example of artwork
was “The Holy Virgin Mary” by Chris Ofili in the year of 1996. Based on the article from
(Dinsdale, 2018), the artwork of Ofili was controversial in the mid-late of 1900’s because the
painting of “The Holy Virgin Mary” were a black mother assembled with an elephant’s dung as the
breast and with lots surrounding pornographic collage which is a of buttocks. This painting was a
scandal in ancient times in the New York, because it serves as blasphemy for Catholic Church and
offensive by the other audience. This is why in expressing our own feelings, thoughts, or beliefs
in a free form, we should set some boundaries to do an artwork and not offend the viewers.
We are once again, take this critical paper since