Reconsidering the kantian concept of genius through the questions of nature, freedom and creativity

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Felsefe Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2012

Öğrenci: MERVE ERTENE

Danışman: ELİF ÇIRAKMAN

Özet:

In this thesis, the role and the significance of the Kantian theory of art and concept of genius in Kant’s system is examined. In this examination, it is aimed to answer the question of the meaning of being human in Kant’s system through art and artist. To this end, Kant’s consideration of art from the spectator’s standpoint and ignorance of artist’s perspective are criticized. In conformity with this criticism, throughout the thesis, depending on Kant’s conceptualization of the genius, the artist’s perspective and artistic experience are tried to be exhibited. In order to understand and interpret the artist’s perspective, the meaning of the concepts of nature and freedom that arise along with the concept of genius is clarified. By considering the effects of the freedom and the natural necessity on genius, it is asserted that since the necessity of the naturally endowed talent of genius and the freedom of the productive act of genius cause to the one and the same act, the creative activity of genius refers to the unity of all the dualities in the Kantian system and hence to the completeness of the system. As a result of this claim, art, which arises from the dual nature of human, becomes the way to unite this duality.