ANTITHESIS TO THEORY

It has been pretty hard to conceive of an adequate argument to counter your thesis, seeming that you have been full proofing it for many years. Although I have one to one instance in which perhaps your theory is not applicable. That is the aspect of man that is purely animistic, one in which is raised through survival instinct, or has been perhaps dropped into a survival of the fittest type scenario in which fight or flight becomes an aspect of daily life . For the theory you propose is one in which human action is based on the notion that man is entirely rational and civilized, basing judgments on logic and prior experience. This discounts the aspect of man that is innately animistic. There have been accounts of people for example who's airplane has crashed in the mountains and they have absolutely no prior knowledge of how to survive in the freezing cold of winter in the wilderness of the mountains that have survived against all odds. These survival actions are in my opinion not based on personal philosophy, craft, art but if you really wanna stretch it mostly science. Even though the actions that were undertaken to survive such a scenario are sheer desperation of the will and animistic survival instincts that have kicked in.

ON SCIENCE

I am extremely intrigued by the idea of Science and Art going hand in hand. Being a photographer, its a constant recognition of the fact that science plays an intrical role in the process of creating art. Although to consider Science as an daily experience is a new means of viewing the interactions of people and their environment, at least it is for me. I really enjoy the metaphor that science is like breathing in ( taking the experiences of the outer world and interpreting them into laws or theories) and art is like breathing out (allowing the inner expression to manifest itself into the outer world). Also the fact that you stated about how at our College there is very little works of art being produced, this is very startling and also rings true on levels that you later elaborated on. The process in which artists under go while learning and perfecting their work often deals strictly with Science, that is, the experimentation of various techniques and materials that later develop into craft. The essential element that allows the philosophical aspect of critical analysis, which is craft ultimatly allows the viewer to differentiate the difference between good and bad art.

Issues of the Self

Recently I have been very interested in Buddhism and its view of the self in relation to scientific theories such as the string theory and the zero point field. Through lectures such as one's on eastern beliefs of existence the idea of the impermanent nature of physicality and the belief of the individual self as being an illusion, I have come to realize the dynamics of life in a more natural means, one in which the central focus of purpose is not the individual but more so the collective essence. This perspective drastically alters my preconceived notions of the thesis that all human activity is a combination of P.C.A.S. , it is very plausible therefore that the essence of the qualities P.C.A.S. are even more real than the human beings that express them in their actions. This Buddhist perspective is very appealing to me, although the Hindu perspective seems more grounded in traditional views of birth and rebirth in the continuum of a physical self. Either way you like to perceive the thesis through eastern views of the self, the qualities that embody human action (P.C.A.S.) seem more realistic and permanent than the distinction between permanent self in relation to an outer world or other individual permanent selves acting autonomously in an individualized physical outer world.

Example of A.P.S.C.!!!

I am becoming increasingly more aware of the theory of Art, Philosophy , Craft and Science in our daily life. Take for example the act of writing, to what extent is this activity influenced by A.P.S.C? Initially the very act of performing writing, or just doing, is considered craft. I have been taught and have memorized the act of writing, the question is how good is my craft? Well I consider my writing fairly legible but my cursive could use some improvement because I do not exercise that aspect of writing as much as the other, so my craft could be improved upon. Writing is predominately craft oriented in practice. Next the Science of writing is negotiable. There are many objects that could be used and explored, or experimented with to write on or with. Or perhaps writing could explore various idea's that could not have been articulated in another medium? Philosophy becomes the product of writing, in that it allows the writers ideas to take form on paper or whatever medium he/she choses . As far as the Art, its the ideas and the expression of the self through the medium of written language, and the way in which the writer chooses to use words, or which ones he uses for the expression of art .

A reflection on class (9/26/07)

Notes taken on 9/26
The Self is capable of dealing and interacting with the Nominal world in 4 major categorical responses- (ART) - the self may respond to the actions of the physical outside world through an expression of feeling and intelligence through non objective means . (SCIENCE)- an individuals experimentation and exploration of the unknown outside world into affirm able truths. (PHILOSOPHY)- an examination of the self within the context of the outside world. Or (CRAFT)- the assimilation of the outer world through simply reproducing commonly held beliefs and values ~ a course in which most simple minded Americans adhere to!!

In regards to the diagram of the tension between the self and the outer world in context to P.C.A.S. - I like the idea of a more collective self, basis of Carl G. Jung- there is no ultimate "self" or outside world. Perhaps there is only the virtues of Art, Philosophy, Craft, and Science- the body is a vehicle for these innate qualities. Perhaps it is the ego that sets the differentiation of the self with the outside world. You may say that you feel or think independent of the outer world, yet there is no idea that is completely original, or feeling, these feelings and ideas we possess as individuals are a collection of peoples ideas and responses that we learn and assimilate through experience. Existing as a collection of ideas and commonly held experiences that allow human beings to experience empathy for those who suffer, or are happy for those whom rejoice and can relate to the greater cast of humanity with those of whom share common ideas.~ Chris

theory and application

Take for instance a photograph, this is easily definable as falling into all four of our categories. To begin Craft is crucial to a successful photograph, this entails development in negative density attributed to a correct exposure. The removal of dust and scratches if necessary, proper exposure of the print , which could take a considerable amount of time dependent on the tonal range your attempting to achieve.
Next, the Science of producing a photograph is obvious. Most photographers never achieve a final print on their first test print, so therefore there is a lot of trial and error involved in achieving a print that can be determined. This element of trial and error is not always as obvious of a scientific process as is say the the very medium of photography itself, being so involved with variables of chemical dilution, temperature, and time consistency this medium lends itself heavily towards science .
Philosophy is an active element of the photographic process as well. craft and aesthetic value do not completely define a good photograph, each good image must have a philosophy, or meaning of intentions as to why the photographer chose a particular image over another. The good photographer has a definitive philosophy in which he is attempting to convey in his imagery, the idea or doctrine creates a deeper meaning in which the photographer wants to ascribe to his work differentiating his work from various other photographers, and from the slightest value of the snap shot aesthetic.
Lastly, photography is most definitely an medium of Artistic expression. The taker of the photograph frames the exterior world with intention and an eye for composition and meaning. Using the reproducible medium to create physical documentation of the world around us and our feelings and ideas re guarding ourselves with others.

my first post because blog spot wont let me post!!!!

Thus far, the concept of categorizing all human activity is an interesting idea, my first impression was that this sociological classifation system was a bit of a streach, that the only means of proving such a statement would be to veiw human beings and there so called nature as purely mechanical. But upon further thought and mostly examples that were made in class it has become clearer that Art, Philosophy, Craft and Science play an enourmous role in most human activity. Although I felt that the role is only partial on day to day activity and is more applicable on a larger scale,dealing largely with the progression of society throughout history.
Although after examples such as the one in class of how the very simple act of driving can be a calmination of Art, Philosophy, Science, and Craft. With this perspective most anything could possibly fall into a loose organization of these 4 categories. I also feel that these definitions must be very liberally defined.