Liberal Humanism: A Formalist Ideology

Liberal Humanism: A Formalist Ideology

Formalism is a way of analyzing the world around us. Liberal Humanism, however, is an ideology. An ideology is a way of thinking. Formalists are, for the most part, Liberal Humanist. Some of the fundamental thoughts of Liberal Humanists within the context of art are that:

1. To be great art the subject must have universal meaning
2. The meaning is contained within the work itself
3. All you need is the work itself to discover the meaning
4. Human nature is unchanging
5. Humanity is connected through our essence of being
6. Art should enrich life
7. The form and message of art should be organic (or matching)
8. Art should be sincere
9. Art should be subtle
10. Criticism is a way to interpret art

As you can see Liberal Humanism has many different beliefs that can resonate with many different types of people. In a scene from Dead Poets Society there are two Liberal Humanists: the teacher and the man who wrote the textbook. Although they both have the same ideology they are very different.

What, within the ideology of Liberal Humanism, do you agree with? Why?

Pick one thought within Liberal Humanism that you disagree with. Why do you disagree? Pick a piece of art (painting, sculpture, movie, play, etc) that supports your argument.