The Philosophy of Fine Art

Abstract

For only that which is mechanical is of so exterior a type that only an entirely empty effort of will and dexterity is required to accept it among our working conceptions, and forthwith to carry it out; an effort, in fact, which is not under the necessity to contribute out of its own resources anything concrete such as is quite outside the prescriptive power of such general rules. The work of art possesses no feeling of its own; it is not through and through a living thing, but regarded as an external object, is a dead thing. It is usual to regard that which is alive of higher worth than what is dead. The contemplation of a misfortune can bring satisfaction. This tendency of reflection dates for the most part from the times of Moses Mendelssohn, and many such trains of reasoning may be found in his writings.

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