EXAM SEM 2

Question 1

Define Bell’s Formalism

Answer 1

Art can be judged based on the particular elements used and their relationship with each. It is through these elements that an aesthetic emotion is evoked in us.

Question 2

Evaluate Bell’s Theory (3)

Answer 2

• Formalism refuse to consider the emotional states of the artist by what he placed in the work
• Responses to art can have a lot to do with what is being presented not just how it is being presented
• It is circular, Bell discusses that an aesthetic emotion is produced by an aesthetic producing quality

Question 3

Define Collingwood’s Expressionism

Answer 3

The artist’s mental states and emotions are transferred into the art. Collingwood believes this emotion must be unconscious. Valued by how the artist connects with the audience

Question 4

Evaluate Collingwood’s Theory (2)

Answer 4

• This rejects any piece that might be making a statement rather than actually trying to share an emotion, e.g. Brillo Box
• In creating pieces of art it is through the use of different elements that the art can evoke emotions from the audience. For example a painter uses blue, dark colours and a musician uses a minor key to evoke sadness. However if this emotion is unconscious could not plan how they arise an emotion and thus would fail as an artwork.

Question 5

Define Dick’s Institutionalism

Answer 5

Something is an artwork if it is given that status by a gallery owner

Question 6

Evaluate Dickie’s Theory (2)

Answer 6

• This means literally anything can be art. If anything can be art is there any point to the term,
• What qualifications should a person have to govern what is and isn’t art

Question 7

Define Classical Utilitarianism

Answer 7

Deciding between right and wrong depends on how much pleasure is being maximised and how much suffering is being minimised. The kind of pleasure is unimportant only quantity.

Question 8

Evaluate Classical Utilitarianism (3)

Answer 8

• Slavery problem, if this theory is true, slavery is moral as more pleasure is brought to owners than suffering to slaves.
• A clear view of what should be chosen between two rights or two wrongs
• It isn’t practical, in the heat of the moment we cannot calculate the suffering to pleasure, furthermore, we cannot perceive the consequences of the future. If your choice ultimately causes more suffering in the future was it a moral one because of your ignorance or immoral due to more suffering

Question 9

Define Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 9

Maximising the number of true preferences that are satisfied. There are two types of preferences, manifest which is manifested from the behaviour of an individual, including irrational beliefs and true preferences one would possess with all relevant information, reasoned carefully and in a clear state of mind.

Question 10

Evaluate Preference Utilitarianism (2)

Answer 10

• There should be more we consider when deciding whether an action is moral. If a husband cheats on his wife we would consider him immoral. However if we examine past events the wife may have been abusive. Given this information we surely would change our minds. This demonstrates there is more to our decision of right or wrong than preferences.
• What about kinship. If in a hypothetical situation where there is a choice between a saving a mother and two criminals should that person be considered immoral for saving his mother

Question 11

Define Kant’s Deontology

Answer 11

We have a duty to behave in a particular way regardless of the consequences. This is determined by the ctaegorical imperative and shouldn’t exceed our capacity to give

Question 12

Evaluate Deontology (2)

Answer 12

• How should we decide between multiple claims if both decsions would break Kant’s categorical imperative. This means a choice wouldbe determined by our own common sense that may not be logical.
• Euthanasia and white lies are two example where breaking Kant’s categorical imperative is a good thing

Question 13

Define Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics

Answer 13

A moral person is someone who is happy becaus they live rationally and practises morality. They must enjoy being virtuous and must have a proper education to be moral.

Question 14

Evaluate Virtue Ethics (3)

Answer 14

• No clear moral advice, how do we make a decision between aiding famine ridden countries or donating to a homeless charity
• Virtues are relative to the situation,
• If the mean is subjective, if a families’ only choice for survival was to trick and steal are they immoral

Question 15

What are the three steps to the categorical imperative?

Answer 15

1. Act as if you are applying a rule or law for everyone
2. Treat people as ends not means
3. Remember you are one person in a community

Question 16

What is Aristotle’s mean

Answer 16

This is the balance between two vices to be virtuous which is subjective to the person and situation.
E.g. Rashness, Courage, Cowardice
However some actions are simply bad (adultery, theft) and justice has one extreme injustice.