Expression

This week in class we discussed the expression of emotions by means of communicating emotions and feelings through art. We have already discussed that art; or at the very least good art, should be able to convey aesthetic emotions to the audience from the artist. However, Collingwood argues that art can communicate emotions, feelings, and a message to the audience. He argues; however, that one cannot just feel the emotions or feelings that the art is conveying. One does not have an emotional state unless they are able to tell themselves what they emotional state is. They have to become more aware of themselves emotionally and non-emotionally to be able to comprehend what the emotions they are feeling from art. In other words, you cannot express that which you do not know. I agree with this idea for the most part because it applies to everyday life as well. For example, one cannot teach someone how to do math or any particular school subject that they themselves do not understand. It would basically be teaching without actually knowing what they are teaching.

Therefore, a question that I pose is, can one appreciate art if they themselves do not understand it?