Wittgenstein's Seeing -as and A Theory of Art

Abstract

In this paper I will show how Wittgenstein's concept of seeing-as might serve as the foundation for a theory of art. The theory that I will develop is a sketch, and general themes will take precedence over details. I will describe a way of distinguishing between art objects and other objects, consider what makes art, art, give a Wittgensteinian 'definition' of art appreciation, examine various important sorts of reactions to artworks, and briefly wonder what life without art would be like. I presuppose some understanding of several of Wittgenstein's central concepts in the Philosophical Investigations: language-games, forms of life, and the function of learning in understanding how to use concepts. I will draw examples and ideas from both the Philosophical Investigations and the Lectures on Aesthetics. In spite of the specificity of the subject matter of the latter, I have often found Wittgenstein's remarks in the former to be more illuminating, because more suggestive, on the topics of art and aesthetics. Also, it is not clear how much weight should be attached to ideas in the Lectures on Aesthetics since Wittgenstein neither organized nor published them himself. However, it is well to note that what he apparently regarded to be the strict subject matter of aesthetics is treated there rather than in the Investigations . When Wittgenstein talks about aesthetics, he means more than just art. I will talk almost exclusively about art. Therefore, what Wittgenstein said about aesthetics will here be made appropriate to a discusssion about art. Although 'art' and 'aesthetics' are often used interchangeably, I will attempt to restrict my use of the term 'aesthetics' to instances where: the use of 'art' is ungrammatical, the topic being discussed is clearly applicable outside the domain of what I will strictly define as art, or I am quoting or referring to something specific that Wittgenstein said. How do artworks differ from other objects? 1 As physical objects which can be examined for similarities and differences with other physical objects, probably