Music and Imitation

In the first chapter we have just read of The Nature of Art, Art as Imitation:Plato, Thomas E. Wartenberg discusses how art can never actually be the exact "imitation" or replica of an object or subject in art in Plato's opinion. He states that "Plato does not think that music imitates anything".

I may not know very much about music but in my opinion, Plato's idea was at one point true until listening closely to the music that we hear today. When music was first created, people just heard a sound coming from their mouths or instruments. Once they had mastered that sound, they started to imitate the sounds of animals and nature.

Today, we hear music that show imitations of various sounds, sounds varying from the beating of a heart, to a bird call, to even an imitation of ones emotion (such as someone who is crying out in sorrow).

What is Philosophy?

               Philosophy, in definition, is the study of one’s thoughts and /or ideas, one’s truths, and knowledge. According to the Britanica online encyclopedia, philosophy, in Latin, meaning “love of wisdom,” is “the critical examination of the grounds for fundamental beliefs and an analysis of the basic concepts employed in the expression of such beliefs.” (Encyclopædia Britannica Online)

                The question is, what does it mean to approach art philosophically? Thomas E. Wartenberg simply shows an example through other questions, such as, “What makes something a work of art?” and “Does the artist’s intentions make” art what it is?  These questions further lead to researching of what is the definition of art.

Art is what you would call the painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, or the Greek statues of gods and goddesses in the temple of Athena Parthenos. Art can be found in sight, sound, touch, scent, taste and emotion, particularly ones that are pleasing to the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or skin. Art can also just remain as an idea or though belonging to a person. There are many categories in art, such as, pottery, paintings, drawings, etc….and performances, such as, plays, music, and dance. There is not an exact definition that can explain what art is. In fact the definition itself is indefinite.

Because of the many loop holes in the indefinite definition of art, to question art is questioning  one's thoughts and ideas. That is, after all, what art is, a definition based on people's thoughts and ideas. To question art, you are approaching art philosophically.