Philosophy Friday

Denis Dutton

Agenda• Denis TED Talk• Quotes by Denis

• End Goal: Does Denis affect your beliefs on art? Does he help you gain knowledge on the arts?

Denis Dutton• 2/9/1944-12/28/2010• Philosopher of Art• Professor at University

of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand

TED Talk• Denis Dutton: A Darwinian Theory of Beauty

• https://www.ted.com/talks/denis_dutton_a_darwinian_theory_of_beauty

Question 1• What were some of the main ideas of the TED

Talk?

• What are some of your reactions to the talk?

Quote 1• “It’s clear on the one hand that an education

enriches and informs a response to beauty, even make it possible in esoteric cases. On the other hand, there’s no question that someone with no musical education whatsoever might wander into a concert hall and be overwhelmed by the Beethoven Pastoral Symphony.” - Denis Dutton

• What are the implications of this quote?• Do you agree with them?

Quote 2• “Dumbing down takes many forms: art that is

good for you, museums that flatter you, universities that increase your self-esteem. Culture, after all, is really about you.”

• What is culture about?• Why is it important to be “cultured”?