Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Criticism

Advanced level

The figure of the critic and the idea of criticism are constant points of reference in the philosophical literature of aesthetics. That said, there are wide disagreements about the concept and function of art-critical texts and about the qualities of their authors. Should criticism aim to evaluate its object or to describe and interpret it. Do critics aim to justify their observations (whether evaluative or descriptive) and if so, how? Is there a standard of correctness in criticism, or is it more a matter of being convincing, of critical success consisting in getting the reader to see, hear or feel what the critic herself sees? Does the work of criticism leave its object untouched? In what sense does criticism have its own aesthetics – that is, do critical texts themselves have aesthetic value and, if so, how does this relate to the aesthetic value they seek to identify in the artworks they are about?  

The course will take stock of the history of arts criticism, the main current contrasting conceptions of the form as well as explore possibilities for revisionary approaches to the subject. It will also aim at taking a closer look at the practice of criticism and students will be expected to complete a written critical review of an artwork, text or performance. 

Culture, Criticism and Aesthetics

Undergraduate level

An important building block of philosophical aesthetics is the idea that we can reason critically and rationally about art and culture, and debate and question judgements about artistic and aesthetic value. But is it even possible to be right or wrong in our aesthetic judgements? This qeustion lies at the heart of the development of aesthetics as an area of philosophical enquiry, tackled both by David Hume and Emmanuel Kant already in the eighteenth century: are aesthetic judgements objective or subjective? Are there aesthetic experts? 

We examine both Hume and Kant's analyses of these questions during the course, as well as looking at how the practice of arts criticism developed and contributed to the development of the arts and their history. The main aim of the course is develop an understanding of the questions raised by the idea of arts criticism, as well as to reflect on how works of criticism inform our understanding and experience of art and culture.

For more information about courses and studying at Uppsala University, see the philosophy department's website here.