“…No one can prove …that any given book or film is better than all the others.”

Does me liking a student’s work matter? Could you argue my experience has some precedence? Is there any experience that warrants educated taste?

“Beautiful art . . . promotes the cultivation of the mental powers for sociable communication”

Putting the definition of beautiful to one side, shared aesthetics can build collectives, often in the face of adversity (the impressionists). Updating this post Duchamp would probably require substituting ‘beautiful’. What would a shared adjective for the aesthetics of punk be?

“…On the other hand, a work art may be spoiled if used in the service of an external purpose”

Controlling an image through location is as important as the image. For example, it’s impossible to appreciate the artwork of music you hate even if the imagery is great. Or an artist’s behaviour putting you off the work (Michael Jackson).

“…decentring, in which patients move to a wider perspective on their symptoms and problems. Instead of “being” their negative thoughts and emotions, patients are helped to “reframe” these as mental events in a wider context of awareness.” Using a psychotherapeutic stance to view art is a great but not without issue. Stepping back to widen your observational stance in relation to other factors is the sound advice. However, in standardly taking this wider view could you overlook nuance?

Bibliography:

Callender, J.S. (2005). The Role of Aesthetic Judgments in Psychotherapy. Philosophy, Psychiatry,