There are philosophers, of course. And there is philosophy. But, precisely because there are as many philosophies, if there are any, as there are philosophers (in their various moods, moreover), to speak of them as bodies of thought, separate from the thoughts of the bodies of the philosophers themselves, is simply to add a needless complication, and much unnecessary grief.
I dare say the same goes for poetry.
Schools and movements serve a temporary purpose that ultimately has nothing to do with the art. It is the individual artist struggling with the materials present in experience, seeking his or her own particular satisfaction, that produces a work of art. It does not become more or less artful by association with the works of others traveling under a common banner.
(I know, I know ... how this sounds. But there are times when one feels the need to say it anyway.)
Monday, June 24, 2013
There Are No Philosophies
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1 comment:
I like this a lot: "It is the individual artist struggling with the materials present in experience, seeking his or her own particular satisfaction, that produces a work of art."
(It is amusing to note that I am waiting for a friend to arrive, someone I am collaborating with on lyrics for his band. We hope that collaborating artists can also struggle with material to produce a work of art!)
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