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Single Idea 12160

[filed under theme 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 3. Artistic Representation ]

Full Idea

In aesthetic interest, even what is true is treated as though it were not.

Gist of Idea

In aesthetic interest, even what is true is treated as though it were not

Source

Roger Scruton (Public Text and Common Reader [1982], p.18)

Book Ref

Scruton,Roger: 'The Aesthetic Understanding' [Methuen 1983], p.18


A Reaction

A nice aphorism. I always feel uncomfortable reading novels about real people, although the historical Macbeth doesn't bother me much. Novels are too close to reality. Macbeth didn't speak blank verse.


The 4 ideas with the same theme [nature of representation of reality in the arts]:

Representation is two steps removed from the truth [Plato]
Painting makes us admire things of which we do not admire the originals [Pascal]
A drawing only represents Napoleon if the artist intended it to [Wollheim]
In aesthetic interest, even what is true is treated as though it were not [Scruton]