Single Idea 4174

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 6. Value of Art]

Full Idea

Man is more beautiful than anything else, and the loftiest purpose of art is to reveal his nature.

Gist of Idea

Man is more beautiful than anything else, and the loftiest purpose of art is to reveal his nature

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Idea [1819], III 41)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'The World as Will and Idea', ed/tr. Berman,Jill and David [Everyman 1995], p.133


A Reaction

A bit of a shock, because it implies human vanity, but it fits the best works of art rather well. What else reveals humanity's beauty? Beautiful deeds must be recorded.