The Definition and Essence of Art

This chapter explores the different senses of the word 'art' and questions whether the aim is to provide a definition of the word or to state the essence of art. It discusses the evaluative use of the word 'art' in positive evaluations and the classificatory use to categorize art forms. The chapter also examines different theories of art, including George Dickey's institutional theory and the aesthetic theory, and emphasizes the importance of aesthetic intention in determining the status of an artwork.