Philosophers' Cafe
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 11:00AM Monday, November 25, 7:00 p.m.
Heneage House, The Portal
Does art have a purpose? Or purposes? Should it engage with social and political issues? If so, how? We’ve heard the phrases “art-for-art’s-sake” and “art-for-life’s-sake,” and some who might say, “Just give me art, for God’s sake.” The Classical writers often suggested that the aim of art was to teach and delight. Kafka was of the view that a novel should be an axe to break the ice that encases us. Should art, then, comfort the troubled and trouble those who are too comfortable?
We’re hoping that you’ll want to share your thoughts about how art engages with the pressures of reality, whether it’s war, drowning climate refugees, the approaching extinction of wild Pacific salmon and resident killer whales, poverty, pollution, racism, zenophobia. If would be great if you could bring along a very short piece of writing or music or art that engages with an issue important to you and share it with the group.
NB: The earlier Mondays in November were impossible for both Ken Redman and me, so please excuse the shift in time. This needn’t affect our subsequent meetings.
Gary Geddes
