161-018 Philosophy of Art

At least one first-year single-semester philosophy subject or permission from the Head of School or subject coordinator.

This subject will be concerned with the nature of art and its value for the individual and society. Particular attention will be paid to the critical discussion of representation in art which began with Plato in 5 BC, recurs in the 19th century with Schopenhauer and Nietzsche and again in the 20th century with Duchamp's proposal that art should be for the mind and not the eye.

• develop a sense of where the limits of philosophical argument in relation to such problems lie;

• have become able to express their ideas more clearly;

• be able to bring to bear the philosophical understanding developed in this subject on their other studies, inside and outside.

A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester), a 2-hour closed-book written examination 47% (due at the end of semester) and tutorial participation 3%.