POSTSCRIPT

February 26, 2008

I was asked to post a summary of what I described as the method of philosophy, that I said can be followed when inquiring into any aspects of our societies.

Here it is:
1) Collect data concerning all of the alternative approaches used in the subject of your inquiry. See WHAT is done and HOW it is done. (e.g. What do Behaviorists, Freudian Psychoanalysts, Jungian Psychoanalysts, Humanistic Psychologists, Cognitive Psychologists..., DO? HOW do they do it?)

2) Ask WHY they do what they do. This should take you to the concept/generalizations/laws/rules/principles (reasons why) of their theories.

3) Ask now what the major assumptions of their different theories are? (What do they assume about man/society/reality...?). And ask what it is they value in choosing the theories that they do. This should reveal the desired goals/ends
of that theory (#2) and that practice (#1).

In our inquiry into Art we look at the different practices and methods of the artists - individually, or in groups (styles). Then we ask Why they practice their art in that form to find what rules/principles they believe . And we then look at what they assume Art "Is" and what is important to them to achieve (values).

While no one will be tested on this method, it may help you to ask questions about the Art you see.