THE CRITICAL ROLE OF ART FOR MEANINGFUL MORAL ACTION Cover Image

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF ART FOR MEANINGFUL MORAL ACTION
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF ART FOR MEANINGFUL MORAL ACTION

Author(s): Anthony Wallace
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Ideas Forum International Academic and Scientific Association
Keywords: Friedrich Schiller; Art; Ethics; Moral Psychology; Neuroscience; Antonio Damasio;

Summary/Abstract: In the late 18th century, Friedrich Schiller made a case for the importance of art in the individual and forsociety at large. His argument is made poetically, is devoid of scientific evidence, and is tailored for its18th century audience. Schiller shows how art has the power to unify society and balance the individual,inspiring action for the apathetic and encouraging rationality in the over-zealous ideologue. Today, ourfractured society suffers from both lazy cynicism and emotional fanaticism. In this paper, I attempt toupdate Schiller‟s project, showing its relevance today by supporting it with further philosophicalargument and contemporary science. Scientific developments in the fields of moral psychology andneuroscience made long after Schiller‟s life have added credibility to his ideas about the importance of artand how it interacts with human nature. Nearly everyone recognizes the need for unification in ourfractured society, and I hope to make the case that art may be the very thing that makes this possible.

  • Issue Year: 1/2017
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 62-66
  • Page Count: 5
  • Language: English