5/29/2023 0 Comments Matthew arnold view on culture![]() ![]() Matthew Arnold’s Culture and Anarchy remains a key reference point in discussions about the value of culture to the individual and to society. Art-for-art’s-sake arguments defend artistic freedom while more utilitarian arguments defend the arts in terms of their social value, even, as so often today, their value in terms of contributing to something as everyday and basely material as the economy. Sometimes this culture of freedom pits individuals against society and sometimes society feels there is only so much freedom it can take. One of the things we value most in the Western tradition is originality: when artists are bold enough to break ground with tradition, outrage social sensibilities and offer fresh perspectives on our world. Great works of art reflect the freedom and personality of individual human beings. High culture wilts in totalitarian societies and has blossomed at those moments in history when freedom was most valued. One needs leisure to cultivate oneself with books, music, the theatre, film and friends. The arts need time and freedom to be made and to be appreciated. ![]() ![]() John Armstrong, In Search of Civilization Culture and AutonomyĬulture and freedom go together. ‘Barbarism is strength without sensitivity decadence is sensitivity without strength.’ ‘To walk staunchly by the best light one has.’ ![]()
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