Metaphysics (What is the nature of reality? What is the nature of existence?)

What IS a work of art?

• Is it the canvas? the paint? the physical medium?
• Is it the idea in the artist's mind that is brought "outside"?
• Is it the idea in the mind of the observer that is stimulated, clarified?

How is the existence/reality of a work of art different from other things?

• How is it different from an ordinary physical object?
• How is it different from an idea? A dream? A memory? A thought?
• How is it different from the words we use to write about the work?

What do we learn from this work of art?

• Do we learn about emotions, feelings, ideas?
• Do we learn about history, events?
• Do we learn about people and their lives?

How do we learn from this work of art?

• Do we learn from the colors, shapes, lines?
• Do we learn from the representations? The events and characters depicted?
• Do we learn from the symbolism? From the process of interpreting the symbolism?

What knowledge should we acquire to better understand this work?

• Should we learn more about the artist?
• Should we learn more about the school/group of artists to which this artist belonged?
• Should we learn more about the techniques used in making this work?
• Should we learn more about the culture/country of this artist?
• Should we learn more about the critics/historians who thought it was a valuable work?

What value does this work have?

• Does it have personal value? Economic value? Religious value? Inspirational value? Educational value? Practical value? Cultural value? Moral value? Artistic value?

Is it possible to be valuable in one sense but not others?

• Can a work have great personal value, but low artistic value?
• Great artistic value but low moral value?

If you disagree with someone about the value of a work, how would you try to change his or her mind?

• Would you point to physical properties of the work? Which properties?
• Would you compare this work to other works?
• Would you explain the hardships overcome by the artist in creating the work?
• Would you just say that it is impossible to debate taste?