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The Aesthetics of Organicism
457 which, in order to be appreciated, must and appreciator are constantly preoccupied be intuited, i.e., experienced aesthetically. with morality while their attention is So long as they are unobtained, one's ex- upon art. Unfortunately, too many identify periences are moral, i.e., are concerned morality narrowly with limited areas of with doing what is believed necessary to conduct, such as those pertaining to dress, obtain them. Hence moral experiences are language, sexual behavior, and any deviaconcerned primarily with instrumental tion from such norms begets judgments values. Since our ideas of intrinsic values about immorality. So long as an artist usually appear as complex gestalts involv. lives in a particular community, he is not ing physical, social, etc., dimensions, we freed from the social needs and norms of have come to depict our ideals in terms of that community. But his lack of interest specific kinds of duties. The omnipresence in such morality does not thereby eliminate of the Hedonistic, or rather the intrinsic- his interest in all morality, for there is a value, paradox leads those who seek clarity morality inherent in his artistic endeavors. to formulate their ideals in factual terms To separate these two kinds of morality is in which the intrinsic-value aspects often to misunderstand ethics. remain unclear. Furthermore, since occu- Furthermore, as ethical, a person ought pation with instrumental values puts a to be concerned with art to the extent premium upon foresight, much, even most, that it contributes to his enjoyment of of our ethical concerns pertain to con- life. That is, appreciation of artistic ditional oughts, i.e., what one ought to do beauty and creation of works of art are if conditions are so and so. Hence, the among the goods of life which one ought need for concern about potential instru- to seek, other things being equal. As apmental and potential intrinsic values com- preciator, one may, perhaps, be obligated plicates the situation, providing additional to visit art museums, to attend operas, ambiguity and unclarity which many find assuming they are available, to sing and very baffling. When art is regarded as listen to singing, and to compliment the concerned primarily with beauty, i.e., in- dress and behavior of gracious associates. tuition of intrinsic value, and morality As social, an appreciator may feel obliwith obligation, i.e., efforts with instru- gated to share with others aesthetic exmental values, the two may seem quite periences available from art works which different in nature.
he owns. As creator, a person with skill However, such a view can prevail only may feel obligated to create, not merely when one lacks awareness of the intimate because the result is enjoyable but because interdependence between intrinsic and creative activity itself may be enjoyed. instrumental values. Neither can exist When an artist finds his work beautiful, without the other. The artist is thoroughly then he may feel an obligation to publish immersed in instrumental values while he it, i.e., to make it available for public is creating, for he has to do, and has to appreciation. If mankind may be enfeel obligated to do, what he does in order riched by the discovery or invention of to produce his desired result. (Even if new kinds of arts, then feelings of obligawhat he does involves spontaneity, he tion tend to exist in those who are aware ought to do what is needed to provide of such potentialities. Art is pervaded conditions promoting such spontaneity.) with morality, and morality which comSuch activity is moral activity. The appre- pletely neglects art is inadequate (i.e., ciator also is involved in moral obligations, immoral). for example, in deciding whether or not Art criticism, whether by professional he should look at a painting and, if he critics or in everyday life, is a moral experiences beauty, whether or not he enterprise. The multitudes of ways in ought to look again, and for how long, and which a work of art may or may not so forth. Except during moments of total contribute to the enjoyment of life by absorption in appreciation, both artist different people under varying circum
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