Discussion Question


What are the ethical obligations of artists in their art? I have seen the following theories advanced:

  • To provide entertainment and happiness to other people.
  • To disturb other people and shake them out of complacency.
  • To describe accurately the real world.
  • To prove, by example, certain claims about abstract concepts.
  • To do things that have never been done before.
  • To provide useful and uplifting instruction to other people.
  • To be absolutely independent from any authority.
  • To create wealth by creating objects that will be valued by other people.
  • To further the work of other artists.
  • To express their inner selves.
  • To glorify God.
  • None of the above. Art is useless and intrinsically unethical.

These can't all be the case, can they?