PHILOSOPHY TRIPOS Part II PHT2/11 Friday 01 June 2012 09.00 to 12.00 Paper 11 AESTHETICS Answer three questions only. Write the number of the question at the beginning of each answer. If you are answering an either/or question, indicate the letter as well. STATIONERY REQUIREMENTS 20 Page Answer book x 1 Rough Work Pad You may not start to read the questions printed on the subsequent pages of this question paper until instructed that you may do so by the Invigilator
-2 - PHT2/11 1 Could this exam paper be a work of art? 2 Would a replica of the Mona Lisa, which was physically indistinguishable from it, be another instance of the same work of art? 3 Either (a) How, if at all, can we justify our aesthetic judgements? Or (b) In what sense, if any, is the delicacy of a drawing a real feature of it? 4 'All art is ethically committed, whether overtly or covertly.' Discuss. 5 Does our lack of knowledge of the intentions of the makers of prehistoric cave paintings mean that we cannot understand those paintings as works of art? 6 Can one have aesthetic experience of a novel in the same sense as one can have aesthetic experience of a picture? 7 Can someone aspire to be a great artist, without aspiring to be in any way original? 8 'Acceptance of Plato's metaphysics is central to acceptance of his view of art.' Discuss. 9 'Plato overestimates the dangers of art.' Discuss. 10 Either (a) Are Hume's views on taste politically objectionable? Or (b) 'A delicate taste of wit or beauty must always be a desirable quality, because it is the source of all the finest and most innocent enjoyments, of which human nature is susceptible.' (HUME) Discuss. END OF PAPER