Jacob posed the question about whether or not a human being can experience even moments where he or she is unbiased.This is an interesting thought exercise. Trying to imagine something that an individual can view without any bias seems initial absurd. One would have to be able to bracket away everything one knows about the object, a task that seems herculean. I suspect it is impossible to to do so.
However, this could lead to an interesting train of thought. Might there be some value lost in complete objectivity? To be biased, we must divorce our personal passions and previous experiences associated with the piece of art. Perhaps I'm incorrect in that assumption, but it seems to be without bias would be to exclude such things. Might that lessen the value of art? To observe that which is intended to move and evoke while trying to not be moved or to not experience biasing emotions seems silly, and less pleasurable. Maybe we must sacrifice pleasure for a better understanding of art. Though, I'd imagine that retaining the pleasure in Art is important as it is not simply hedonistic pleasure, but something deeper than that.
My question is: Is subjectivity in art appreciation a factor in it's enjoyment?
I responded to your question on my blog.
ReplyDeleteNay, Hercules, I suspect, had it relatively easy. Had Eurystheus demanded such bias divorce, he would never had been redeemed.
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to agree with you, that such bracketing will detract and depreciate in some cases, and in others it is of the utmost importance. There are cases that the content is so atrocious that a viewer can easily miss great technique and masterful form if repulsed by material. The Triumph of the Will, a Nazi propaganda film is a masterpiece of editing and cinematography. While watching it, you must divorce yourself from the anti-semitic content or it will be difficult to notice.
Might such reduction lessen the value? It is possible. I think that a fuller understanding of the artwork may, though, beget a deeper appreciation. It is difficult to say if lacking bias is the key to a fuller understanding though.
Either way, as Hume presents it, the layperson is allowed his or her bias. It is only the critic that is not. So be bias, but when it comes time to pronounce greatness, it shan't be your right. The life of the critic may seem dull.
Even if your are correct, is enjoyment the end of stripping bias?