A Study Of George Santayana's Art Views Taking Reason In Art As The Center

Santayana is the founder of American naturalistic philosophy.In Reason in art,he thinks about the art problem from the relationship between nature and art.By using the three key words of “instinct”,“reason” and “good beauty” to link up the three basic artistic problems of origin,practice(reason)and ideal,he reveals the underlying symbolic wisdom of art,which is taken as emphasis to be studied carefully.The paper is divided into four chapters.The first chapter is the formation of Santayana's art view.The natural religious consciousness inspired his eager attention to the material existence;the original philosophical pursuit contributed to his anti-metaphysical innovative concept;the generalized view of nature gave birth to his balance strategy of material and mind.Taking nature and experience as the path,and advocating the beauty of function and generalization,Santayana finally strengthened his own aesthetic orientation of inclusiveness through “reason”.The second chapter is Santayana's discussion on the origin of art.Art is a purposeless “creation instinct”,and the concepts of art and its expression are “spontaneous”.Instinct and reason,the products of nature,are limited by nature as well.The interaction between them forms the creation of art.The generation of art is a process of “tame”.Art is not only the inspiration of experience but also the norm of social instinct because it is transferable.The third chapter is Santayana's discussion on art practice.Art can not only integrate into rational life with its function,but also benefit mankind through rational behavior.As a measure of art,aesthetic taste is based on aesthetic sincerity,highlighting moral values with practical standards,and finally forming itself in the accumulation of aesthetic emotions.As for the development of art,it is necessary to appropriately give warning and protection,and moderately strengthen the examination and attention to art criticism.The fourth chapter is Santayana's discussion on art ideal.Art is “aesthetic goodness”(“good beauty”),which is subordinate to moral judgment.It can show its “innocence” with a “detached” attitude.It approaches the highest beauty and goodness.Art can satisfy human nature.It has the value of pleasure,and can promote the harmony between nature and human nature.Art is a symbolic symbol of faith.Symbol can achieve art.But art can also pass symbol to convey good beauty,while achieving self and ending self.Santayana's art view is always filled with fervid and deep humanistic concern and moral goodwill.Raising art to symbolic wisdom will not only prompt us to think about the legitimacy of art and the reality of beauty,but also inspire us to cultivate aesthetic taste,pursue spiritual pleasure and seek spiritual freedom through art.