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Single Idea 20389
[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions
]
Full Idea
If we specify the 'necessary' conditions that are 'sufficient' for something's being an X, that is a combination of conditions such that all and only Xs meet them, which is the hallmark of a definition of X-hood.
Gist of Idea
A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it
Source
Stephen Davies (The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed) [2016], 2.1)
Book Ref
Davies,Stephen: 'The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed)' [Wiley Blackwell 2016], p.24
A Reaction
There are, of course, many other ways to define something, as shown in the 2.D Reason | Definition section of this database. This nicely summarises the classical view.
Related Idea
Idea 20388
'Necessary' conditions are requirements, and 'sufficient' conditions are guarantees [Davies,S]
The
24 ideas
from Stephen Davies
20387
|
Aesthetic experience involves perception, but also imagination and understanding
[Davies,S]
|
20385
|
The faculty of 'taste' was posited to explain why only some people had aesthetic appreciation
[Davies,S]
|
20386
|
The sublime is negative in awareness of insignificance, and positive in showing understanding
[Davies,S]
|
20384
|
The idea that art forms are linked into a single concept began in the 1740s
[Davies,S]
|
20388
|
'Necessary' conditions are requirements, and 'sufficient' conditions are guarantees
[Davies,S]
|
20389
|
A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it
[Davies,S]
|
20391
|
Feminists warn that ideologies use timeless objective definitions as a tool of repression
[Davies,S]
|
20390
|
Defining art as representation or expression or form were all undermined by the avant-garde
[Davies,S]
|
20392
|
'Aesthetic functionalism' says art is what is intended to create aesthetic experiences
[Davies,S]
|
20393
|
The 'institutional' theory says art is just something appropriately placed in the 'artworld'
[Davies,S]
|
20395
|
The title of a painting can be vital, and the artist decrees who the portrait represents
[Davies,S]
|
20396
|
We must know what the work is meant to be, to evaluate the artist's achievement
[Davies,S]
|
20397
|
If we could perfectly clone the Mona Lisa, the original would still be special
[Davies,S]
|
20398
|
Art that is multiply instanced may require at least one instance
[Davies,S]
|
20399
|
Intentionalism says either meaning just is intention, or ('moderate') meaning is successful intention
[Davies,S]
|
20401
|
The meaning is given by the audience's best guess at the author's intentions
[Davies,S]
|
20404
|
Music isn't just sad because it makes the listener feel sad
[Davies,S]
|
20405
|
Music may be expressive by being 'associated' with other emotional words or events
[Davies,S]
|
20403
|
It seems unlikely that sad music expresses a composer's sadness; it takes ages to write
[Davies,S]
|
20402
|
Music is too definite to be put into words (not too indefinite!)
[Davies,S]
|
22704
|
Immorality may or may not be an artistic defect
[Davies,S]
|
22705
|
If the depiction of evil is glorified, that is an artistic flaw
[Davies,S]
|
22706
|
A work which seeks approval for immorality, but alienates the audience, is a failure
[Davies,S]
|
22707
|
It is an artistic defect if excessive moral outrage distorts the story, and narrows our sympathies
[Davies,S]
|