The Philosophy of Arthur C. Danto – Aesthetics, Art, and the End of Philosophy | The Library of Living Philosophers | Volume XXXIII, 2013 | Review, Analysis & Summary

The Philosophy of Arthur C. Danto, curated by Randall E. Auxier and Lewis Edwin Hahn, serves as Volume XXXIII in the Library of Living Philosophers (LLP) series, released in 2013. This extensive work pays tribute to Arthur Coleman Danto (1924–2013), an esteemed American philosopher and art critic recognized for his significant insights into aesthetics, philosophy of art, history, and analytic philosophy.
Danto’s thought-provoking assertion that “art comes to an end” within a philosophical framework distinguished him as a remarkably innovative thinker in the 20th century. This LLP compilation includes his philosophical autobiography, an assortment of his pivotal writings, critical commentaries from prominent philosophers and critics, along with his thorough responses, offering a comprehensive overview of his intellectual contributions.

Who Was Arthur C. Danto?

Arthur C. Danto was an influential philosopher and art theorist, as well as a long-standing art critic for The Nation. Serving as a professor at Columbia University, he adeptly united analytic philosophy with the realm of art and criticism. Danto applied stringent logical analysis to inquiries typically reserved for artists and curators—What defines art? Why is it significant? How does art convey meaning?
His thinking was profoundly shaped by figures such as Hegel, Wittgenstein, and Nietzsche, in addition to contemporary artistic movements. The concept of the “artworld” and his assertion that “art comes to an end” constitute his most notable philosophical contributions—not due to a halt in artistic creation, but because definitions of art become expansive and historical.
His significant works encompass:

• The Transfiguration of the Commonplace (1981)
• After the End of Art (1997)
• Encounters and Reflections (1990)
• The Abuse of Beauty (2003)

Contents of the Volume

This LLP work adheres to the series’ established four-part structure, examining Danto’s career from various perspectives.

1. Philosophical Autobiography

In this section, Danto provides an introspective account of his life and evolution:

• His formative experiences with existentialism and analytic philosophy
• His military service and subsequent educational pursuits
• His shift towards aesthetics and the philosophy of history
• The impact of Andy Warhol and pop art on his intellectual development
• His concurrent role as an art critic and public intellectual

Danto’s personal narrative demonstrates the integration of rigorous philosophical inquiry with tangible cultural involvement.

2. Key Writings from Danto

This part highlights Danto’s fundamental concepts, which include:

• The notion of the “artworld”—an encompassing cultural and institutional framework that imparts artistic significance to objects
• His reading of Hegel’s “end of art” as a philosophical, rather than creative, endpoint
• The transfiguration of the commonplace—how ordinary objects gain artistic status through interpretation
• Critiques of formalism, particularly targeting advocates like Clement Greenberg
• His examination of postmodern art, notions of beauty, and the changing landscape of aesthetic evaluation

These writings encapsulate Danto’s persistent conviction that art transcends mere appearance—it fundamentally involves meaning.

3. Critical Essays by Contemporary Thinkers

This segment includes critiques from scholars in philosophy, art theory, and criticism, featuring:

• George Dickie, Noël Carroll, Lydia Goehr, David Carrier, Tom Leddy, among others

Topics discussed encompass:

• Debates addressing the legitimacy of Danto’s “end of art” proposition
• Critical assessments of the artworld and institutional theory
• Ethical and historical readings of art
• Rethinking beauty, representation, and aesthetic experience
• The connection between Danto’s theories and continental thought

4. Danto’s Responses to His Detractors

With both precision and kindness, Danto addresses each contributor, expanding on:

• His conviction that the interpretation of art shifts over time
• The notion that the conclusion of art does not equate to the demise of creativity, but instead represents newfound liberty
• The essential role of philosophy in comprehending art, and vice versa
• His dedication to pluralism and the equalization of artistic value

Major Concepts in Danto’s Philosophy

1. The Artworld and Contextual Significance

Danto contended that the essence of art lies not in its appearance, but in its interpretation within the artworld—a collective of artists, critics, curators, and philosophers.

2. The Thesis of the End of Art

Drawing inspiration from Hegel, Danto proclaimed that the historical narrative of art has reached its conclusion—not that art has ceased, but that it no longer follows a singular trajectory. Anything could potentially be considered art, making the challenge of defining it a philosophical endeavor.

3. The Transfiguration of the Commonplace

Danto demonstrated how mundane items, when situated in an artistic framework (such as Warhol’s Brillo Boxes), acquire fresh significance. This challenges the perception that art is solely characterized by its visual aspects.

4. Philosophy of History and Narrative

Danto utilized his narrative framework of history in relation to art, proposing that grasping art necessitates situating it within a historical narrative, rather than merely examining its form.

5. Critique of Aesthetic Essentialism

Danto dismissed the belief that beauty, structure, or emotion are the fundamental attributes of art. He posited that interpretation and meaning are paramount instead.

Why This Volume Holds Significance

The Philosophy of Arthur Danto is vital for:

• Students and researchers in aesthetics, modern art theory, and historical philosophy
• Individuals intrigued by postmodernism, pop art, and visual culture
• Philosophers investigating the nexus of art and analytic philosophy
• Artists and critics looking for a deeper understanding of the essence and purpose of art

This publication serves to connect analytical precision and artistic creativity, making it indispensable for anyone keen on the significance of art in today's world.