The Nature of Art: Definitions and Theories

In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the nature of art, particularly focusing on definitions and theories of art. One theory discussed is the institutional theory of art, proposed by George Dickey, which argues that an artwork is an artifact whose aspects have been conferred the status of being candidates for appreciation by someone acting on behalf of the art world. Another theory explored is the aesthetic theory of art, put forth by Monroe Beardsley, which proposes that an artwork is something produced with the intention of providing an aesthetic experience. Finally, the historical theory of art, championed by Gerald Levinson, suggests that an artwork is an object that is non-passingly intended by a person or persons with proprietary rights over it to be regarded in ways in which previous works of art have been correctly or standardly regarded. The episode also touches on the skepticism surrounding the project of defining art, inspired by Wittgenstein's concept of family resemblances and the argument by Morris Vites that no single condition is necessary or sufficient for something to be considered art.