Methods of Knowledge Volume 32; An Essay in Epistemology

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII SYMPATHETIC IMITATION IN ART 1. While science has departed from the true principles of imitation, it can be shown that this faculty has been cultivated by art and morality. It is important, not only to prove the fact that they use it, but also to consider their use of it, in order to get the light which they throw on its nature; and, further, to determine how far in their employment of it cognition is attained. 2. Art is one of the chief forms of the mental life of man. Notwithstanding the extension of science, it still remains true that the majority of those who participate in the intellectual life find their enjoyment in poetry and other forms of art rather than in science. The histories and biographies which are most popular have more affinity for art than for science. Moreover, many of the choicest spirits that the world has known are those which have been consecrated to art. The interest in art has been, to a certain extent, intermittent. When the struggle for existence is at its sternest, there is little development of art; but, when the storms abate their fierceness, the flowers of art begin to bloom. The times which allow the cultivation of science are usually the times which allow devotion to art. And thus art grows beside science, supplying, especially in its poetical form, that which science lacks. 3. Art deals with the concrete. Science deals with the abstract, having for its ideal a system of concepts or laws; art has its attention fixed on the individual. Science gives a general definition of tree, or man; art paints an individual tree, or portrays a living character. Science gives a treatise on political economy; art sees the "city dawn amid the clouds." It may be admitted, indeed, that the highest art is universal; but it is so...