Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy
~~Albert Einstein
The month of September comes and passes as students are swept with a flurry of rigorous academics and roaring football games. While students delve into the year, it can be easy to get lost in the endless stream of things to do. Amidst each student’s busy schedule, one can’t help but wonder:
Why am I here?
What is the point of life?
Why should I be bothered with conforming to the human condition?
The Jesuit Philosophy Club commits to answering these tough questions every Thursday during community time. Their goal is to step away from the day-in’s and and day-out’s of of our complex lives and examine each event more closely. In fact, debate among members can become fierce as they try to answer some of the simplest questions such as: Why should things exist versus emptiness? Is there a “Wrong” moral compass? Why do things look beautiful? Furthermore, there is never a limit on the topic of discussion and rarely limits on points of scrutiny.
In each meeting, the club explores a different topic through a short video and opens the room up for discussion. Oftentimes, differing viewpoints can feel like an impossible hurdle to leap across as the group breaks apart the nuances of unimaginably tiny points. During the fall season, the club’s theme of discussion is Art, and what makes it necessary in 21st Century Society.
The members of the club consider art and its applications to be a fascinating yet under-explored area of study.
Since ancient times, art is believed to make our surroundings more beautiful. Some say art is meant to create records of a specific time, place, person, or object; and to express and communicate ideas. Others say they’re meant to uplift, provoke, soothe, entertain, and educate us. Others, yet, claim that art is so special because they’re simply pleasing to the eyes. Whatever their intended purposes might be, art has played a significant, if not a critical role in the development of human society, culture, religion, and livelihood.
Despite our acknowledgment of art as an important figure in ancient and modern society, no one seems to be able to define it satisfactorily. We know art when we see it but can’t seem to give define it without restricting its meaning.
In the past, art had a lot more rules – today, Art can be anything which the artist tells us is art
~~Anita Louise, oil painter and blogger
The Jesuit Philosophy Club extends these extends questions to students and faculty as they partner with the Jesuit Journal for a writing competition. Those who enter are free to type their interpretation of what art is and its use in modern society. Finalists are rewarded generously with nearly $400 in gift cards – in the name of knowledge production of course.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more Philosophical News!