In conversation with John Vervaeke and Christopher Mastropietro #4: Reinventing Art
Aug 9, 2020
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In this lively discussion, John Vervaeke, a cognitive scientist and philosophy professor, teams up with Christopher Mastropietro, a narrative and theater expert. They dive into whether art is inherently moral, its educational role, and its political functions. The duo emphasizes that art serves as a dialogical process, challenging traditional views that separate art from entertainment. They explore the transformative power of creativity and how good art can evoke profound emotional experiences, ultimately suggesting that art's essence lies not just in the product but in the journey of creation.
Art serves as a complex medium for deeper interactions, fostering communal dialogues rather than merely individual self-expression.
True art should evoke wonder and contribute to personal discernment, providing insights that guide individuals toward meaning and truth.
The educational role of art is crucial for training individuals to differentiate between genuine experiences and passive entertainment, promoting critical thinking.
Deep dives
The Nature and Function of Art
Art is explored as a complex and multifaceted concept that serves critical functions for individuals and society. It transcends basic self-expression and instead becomes a medium for deeper interactions and dialogues within the community. The idea that art should evoke wonder rather than mere entertainment is emphasized, suggesting that true art must contribute to the discernment and understanding of the human experience. This raises questions about the educational role of art in promoting personal discernment, where it guides individuals towards a deeper quest for truth and meaning.
The Dialectic of Art and Audience
The relationship between the artist and the audience is considered a dialectic, where both parties engage in a continuous exchange of meaning. This interaction reflects the importance of dialogue in art, highlighting that real beauty in art often lies in the engagement rather than the final product. The discussion posits that art has the potential to unlock various forms of understanding, serving as a catalyst for personal and communal transformation. By facilitating this dynamic, art can strengthen the connection between individuals, prompting them to confront and reflect upon their beliefs and assumptions.
Art as a Training Ground for Discernment
Art serves a crucial function in training individuals to discern between genuine experiences and insipid entertainment or propaganda. The podcast argues that art should evoke curiosity and critical thinking, acting against the passive consumption typical of modern media. This educational aspect of art plays a pivotal role in shaping the capacity for discernment, allowing individuals to differentiate between artistic expressions that offer insight and those that merely entertain. The call for art to not just fill space but actively engage the audience underscores its potential as a transformative practice.
The Interplay of Beauty and Truth in Art
A discussion about the nature of beauty in art reveals that true beauty may not always be aligned with conventional aesthetics but might arise from an encounter with profound truths. This perspective invites a reevaluation of what constitutes beauty, suggesting that art's worth lies in its ability to resonate with human experience and unveil deeper realities. Works like Picasso’s Guernica exemplify this interaction, demonstrating that art can capture raw emotion and horror while leading viewers toward a deeper understanding of the human condition. Thus, beauty in art becomes less about outward appearances and more about the relational dynamics it fosters.
Reinventing Art in Contemporary Context
The conversation culminates in a call to reinvent art for contemporary society, arguing for a broader definition that encompasses diverse practices and experiences. This reinvention emphasizes art's potential to cultivate community and shared experiences rather than merely focusing on individual creativity. The discussion touches on the significance of communal rituals in fostering connection and triggering insights, advocating for the recognition of art as a communal endeavor rather than an isolated expression. By embracing this expansive view of art, the podcast envisions a more inclusive cultural landscape that honors both the collective and individual aspects of artistic expression.
Is art moral? Why was Plato censorious of art? Does art have a political function? How is art educational? Should art and philosophy be combined? What is the difference between art and entertainment? Is art about individual or communal expression? How is art related to what John calls ‘dialogos’?
Here we continue to ‘reinventio’—the latin word which means to both invent and discover— perennial and popular subjects. We discuss the purpose and function of art from various perspectives: John from the point of view of cognitive science and philosophy, Christopher from the point of view theater and narrative, and Andrew as a songwriter. We concluded that art is about process rather than product, and that the good art leans towards religious experience.
John Vervaeke is a professor at the University of Toronto and the creator of the popular online YouTube Series ‘Awakening from The Meaning Crisis’, which is a rich feast of cognitive science, philosophy, religion, and the history of ideas. What makes Vervaeke special in my opinion is the breadth of his work, but his courage descend the ivory tower and talk to people ‘on the street’—and to exemplify his ideas. His hero is Socrates, and he embodies the living dialogue and courage that Socrates represents.
I was first introduced to Christopher Mastropietro by Peter Limberg for his series on Letter.com. Christopher is John Vervaeke’s writing and research partner and co-author of ‘Zombies in Western Culture: A Twentieth Century Crisis’. A great book which I have used for undergraduate classes in Paris. Chris is among other things an amazing wordsmith who writes and speaks like an 19th Century Henry James/Herman Melville!
