Pluralism, Eliminativism, and the Definition of Art Cover Image

Pluralism, Eliminativism, and the Definition of Art
Pluralism, Eliminativism, and the Definition of Art

Author(s): Christopher Bartel, Jack M. C. Kwong
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Fine Arts / Performing Arts
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze - Filozofická fakulta, Vydavatelství
Keywords: artistic value; concepts; pluralism

Summary/Abstract: Traditional monist theories of art fail to account for the diversity of objects that intuitively strike many as belonging to the category art. Some today argue that the solution to this problem requires the adoption of some version of pluralism to account for the diversity of art. We examine one recent attempt, which holds that the correct account of art must recognize the plurality of concepts of art. However, we criticize this account of concept pluralism as being unable to offer an explanation of why some concept is an art concept. Instead, many of the disagreements over the definition of art could be reconciled by recognizing that works of art can be valued in a plurality of ways. By recognizing a plurality of values for art, we claim further that the definition of art becomes a non-issue.

  • Issue Year: 58/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 100-113
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English