Introduction 3

Protocol: 5 June
Author: Jeric

 

1. Marcel: On Philosophy and Art
1. Art
1. By way of a work of art, the artist is able to capture his own experience of reality, so that the audience may be able to share in this experience.
2. Something must be analogous between the artist and the audience, in order that the artist’s experience of reality will resonate in the audience’s participation in the artist’s work.
3. (p.10) “When I look at or listen to a masterpiece, I have an experience which can be strictly called a revelation;…such revelations appear not to be granted to other people, whom I have to difficulty at all communicating on other topics.”
4. There is not one correct or hard and fast interpretation for a work of art.
2. Art transcends the artist
1. A story or a novel has a life of its own
1. After one gains new experiences, a novel, when read again, can provide a whole new meaning
3. Philosophy
1. 8th midterm thesis- Philosophy cannot accept a simplistic conception of universality
1. Like art, there is not one correct interpretation, or insight for that matter, on a particular aspect of reality.
2. In the same way, there is no such thing as a wrong interpretation [only misguided or ill-informed ones], but one must also be wary of complete subjectivity.
2. Marcel: On the ‘true questions’ and the ‘persons of goodwill.’
1. The ‘true questions’
1. There are questions that are not simply answerable [by] a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
1. (p. 11-12) “Do you believe in God?”
2. True questions are the underlying questions regarding the meaning behind existence, and behind reality itself.
1. Ex. Why do you wake up everyday? What is the purpose behind the things you do everyday?
2. Free thinkers and ‘persons of goodwill.’
1. ‘Philosophy is a quest for honesty’- Walter Kaufmann
1. In [his writings], Heraclitus criticizes Homer (56), Hesiod (57), and Pythagoras (81).
2. Also criticizes his fellow Ephesians for assuming that the decision of the majority is ultimately the best and most just decision (121).
3. Perhaps Heraclitus invites everyone to be honest with themselves, and have the courage to question the accepted order of things.
2. Marcel: The role of the free thinker is to “swim against the current (p.11).”
1. The challenge is to take one’s own stand on the truth, even though it may be unpopular, or against the accepted order.
3. Person of goodwill: One who has a genuine concern for other people.
3. Challenge of philosophy: have the courage to think freely, and to be honest with one’s own experience of reality, though it may be met with opposition from others.