Is it Good?

Critical Thinking and the Arts

Kevin Purrone, Ph.D.

Brief Version

I. Logical Fallacies

(To make sure all discussions do not lose sight of the value of cognitive activity, we begin with an explication and discussion of the classical logical fallacies)

A. Description of the Fallacies

B. Discussion and creation of contemporary examples related to the arts

II. Six Theories of Taste

A. Review of the theories of C. E. M. Joad, George Santayana, Leo Tolstoy, David Hume, A. J. Ayer, and Arnold Isenberg

B. Selections of art works which correspond to the six theories of taste

III. Elements and Principles of the Arts

A. General Observations from a historical perspective

IV. Some Theories of Criticism

A. Imitationalism

B. Formalism

C. Expressionism

V. Procedures for Critics

A. The components of a critical review, using elements and principles of visual art as a first example.

B. A review of contemporary critical reviews, determining their value.