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(Moore and Parker 406). Sure the spatula is an everyday object, but maybe the artist uses
the spatula creatively to express the cuisines they tend to make (Aesthetic Principle #2).
What if someone from another country likes their spatula a different style, and they like
to keep that style in order to express their culture and history? Through this, we meet the
aesthetic principle number two that if an object expresses the values of a culture, it can be
seen as an object of aesthetic value (Moore and Parker 405). This also meets with the
functionalist approach, because it fulfills their cultures function, of their values and
beliefs, so the spatula can be seen as an object of art through their culture.
Another principle of aesthetics that can be applied to the spatula would be aesthetic
principle number four, according to Moore and Parker in their book Critical Thinking.
Though it is probably one of the hardest to explain, we will follow with principle number
four, that objects are aesthetically valuable if they give their audience pleasure. In order
to use this principle correctly, we will define pleasure within the context of aesthetic
reasoning. Pleasure is a pleasant or pleasant feeling, or, an activity that is done for
enjoyment (Pleasure). With this definition, we cant simply assume that the mere object
of a spatula causes pleasure. However, when we look at our audience, maybe the use of a
spatula, used creatively, can cause pleasure to the individual in terms of the way the
person likes and enjoys cooking. When we look at it that way, we can see that the spatula
is an object of aesthetic value when the person uses it to their amusement. For instance,
many consider cooking an art, and a spatula is a way of representing their profession ( or
even passion), and so it fulfills their need ; it fulfills happiness, through an everyday
ordinary object, through cooking and use of the spatula.
The spatula meets and fulfills the function of an individual, whether through their
culture, or their passion, so the ordinary object can be seen as aesthetically valuable. The
spatula meets the functionalist approach of aesthetics, because it serves to fulfill a
function, whether through society, their culture, or an effect that it has on an audience.
This differs from the formalism approach, where aesthetics is reasoned through its
inherent value, (often identified as, beauty). Its important to note, however, that the
spatula meets the functionalist approach, because it has an audience that it adheres to.
In conclusion, the spatula provides the opportunity to meet the functions of
aesthetic reasoning, and so the object can be seen as an object of aesthetic value. Through
Works Cited
Art." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 8 October 2014. Web.
Merano, Vanjo. "What Is a Spatula?" Panlasang Pinoy. N.p., n.d. 27 Apr. 2015. Web.
Moore, Brooke Noel., and Richard Parker. Critical Thinking. Boston: McGraw Hill,
2007. 340. Print.
Pleasure." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 8 October 2014. Web.
what is art
aesthetic reasoning
functionalist or formalist