The Autonomy of Art or the Dignity of Artworks?
Professor Agnes Heller
Both “autonomy ” and “dignity” are moral concepts. The moral category “autonomy” is traditionally applied to art, and understood sometimes dogmatically, like by Adorno. Yet it never becomes clear what is autonomous: Art as such? The sphere of Art? Or the single artwork? This paper suggests substituting the normative word “dignity” for the heavily evaluative term “ autonomy”. In the case of the ‘dignity of man’ the norm of dignity prohibits using man as mere means - so it is in the case of works of art. They can serve as means, yet they need always also be treated as ends in themselves. The concept “dignity” of art will be illuminated - not illustrated – by examples of contemporary works.
This presentation was recorded on April 3rd 2008, at the Monash Conference Centre in Melbourne.
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