Single Idea 12159

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 1. Artistic Intentions]

Full Idea

A person for whom it made no difference whether a sculpture was carved by wind and rain or by human hand would be unable to interpret or perceive sculptures - even though the interpretation of sculpture is not the reading of an intention.

Gist of Idea

Without intentions we can't perceive sculpture, but that is not the whole story

Source

Roger Scruton (Public Text and Common Reader [1982], p.15)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'The Aesthetic Understanding' [Methuen 1983], p.15


A Reaction

Scruton compares it to the role of intention in language, where there is objective meaning, even though intention is basic to speech.