The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast – Ep. 322: Schelling on Art vs. Nature (Part One)

Intro

In this episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast,” the hosts delve into the relationship between art and nature in philosophy. They explore the ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, focusing on two selections: part 6 of the System of Transcendental Idealism from 1800 and a speech from 1807 on the relation between the plastic arts and nature. Schelling believed that art is the key to philosophy, and this episode examines the practical application of his ideas.

Main Takeaways

Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Nature

• Schelling’s overall project was that art is the key to philosophy.
• Art is an appeal to sight and the visible surfaces of things, unlike philosophy which is in the realm of the rational and subjective.
• Plastic art should express intellectual thoughts like poetry and reveal the inner essence or nature of things.
• Imitation of nature in art can mean capturing the creative primal energy, the source of the natural, rather than just imitating mere form and shapes.
• Art should capture the full activity of the underlying soul that is the living, breathing aspect of nature.

The Speech on the Relation Between the Plastic Arts and Nature

• The speech from 1807 provides a different presentation and practical application of Schelling’s ideas.
• It was delivered at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences in Munich in celebration of the name day of King Maximilian I, Joseph, of Bavaria.
• Insights can be found in the speech if one can get through the rhetorical thicket.
• Art should capture the hidden animating thing that’s underneath the form, revealing the living aspect of nature.
• Nature is not just a dead aggregate of objects, but the ever-creating primal energy of the world, which the artist should capture.

The Mythological View of Nature and Tragic Art

• Art is an expression of national identity and a patriotic duty to capture nature’s essence.
• Greeks had a mature mythology that captured the animated character of nature.
• Tragic art raises the question of how we can enjoy watching something that’s painful.
• The passionate energies aroused in tragic art create an overall beautiful whole, and the effect is peaceful.
• The reflective element in tragic art provides a calming energy.

The Unity and Grace in Artistic Representation

• Unity is felt through the force of individuality, isolation, and antagonism.
• The artist’s skill in putting individual elements together creates an overall effect of grace or mojo.
• Artistic representation reconciles the division between subject and object, allowing us to apprehend the soul concretely.
• Posture and movement can communicate emotion and inner life.
• Art can unify the division between soul and body.

Summary

Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Nature

Schelling believed that art is the key to philosophy, as it appeals to sight and captures the visible surfaces of things. Unlike philosophy, which is rational and subjective, art expresses intellectual thoughts like poetry and reveals the inner essence or nature of things. Schelling argues that art should go beyond mere imitation of nature’s form and shapes, instead capturing the creative primal energy that is the source of the natural.

The Speech on the Relation Between the Plastic Arts and Nature

In his speech, Schelling emphasizes the importance of capturing the hidden animating thing that’s underneath the form in art. He believes that nature is not a lifeless collection of objects, but a constantly creating primal energy. The artist’s duty is to capture this energy and reveal the living aspect of nature. While the speech can be challenging to navigate due to its rhetorical complexity, it offers valuable insights into the practical application of Schelling’s ideas.

The Mythological View of Nature and Tragic Art

Schelling sees art as an expression of national identity and a patriotic duty to capture nature’s essence. The Greeks, in particular, had a mature mythology that effectively captured the animated character of nature. Tragic art raises the question of how we can derive enjoyment from witnessing painful events. Schelling argues that the passionate energies evoked in tragic art create an overall beautiful whole, with a calming reflective element that balances the experience.

The Unity and Grace in Artistic Representation

Artistic representation achieves unity through the force of individuality, isolation, and antagonism. The artist’s skill in bringing together individual elements creates a harmonious effect of grace or mojo. Through artistic representation, the division between subject and object is reconciled, allowing us to apprehend the soul concretely. Posture and movement serve as vehicles for communicating emotion and inner life, unifying the division between soul and body.

Conclusion

Exploring Schelling’s ideas on the relationship between art and nature reveals the profound role that art plays in philosophy. Art has the power to capture the essence of nature, going beyond mere imitation of form and shapes. By revealing the hidden animating forces and the living aspect of nature, art unifies the division between subject and object, providing a concrete apprehension of the soul. Through unity and grace, artistic representation allows us to experience the beauty and depth of the world.