During the second seminar we discuss following topics: nominalism, enlightenment and mass media, and aura concept.
After the seminar I understood the concept of nominalism better and connection between nominalism, fascism, and enlightenment. The professor gave us an example of Plato’s allegory of the cave to explain the idea of Plato’s realism that is about considering the real world. According Plato people are “prisoners” of the cave and they don’t see real objects, just reflections. In order to see the real world we should get out from cave. Nominalism can be defined as anti-realism – the way of escaping of problems.
Fascism inherits tendencies of nominalism. Example is concept of natural order – German is the title nation, some people were born to be slaves, someone were born to be masters. This order of things form definite worldview and perception of things that is far away from real world.
The idea of enlightenment, in its tern, to allow people to see real world, escape from myths, and be masters of own life, destiny and nature. Mass media as tool of enlightenment should have to help to see the real world and change previous understanding of the world. The example of reaching opposite goal is stereotypical image of “young beautiful secretary” and “old rich boss” in American films in 40s.
Benjamin Walter Walter argued that art has revolutionary potential. Reproduction of art is a way of liberation or art and changing power relation as art becomes affordable for all instead of privilege of upper class.
The concept of aura can be explained very simple: “The old things has bigger aura than mass production.”
Some questions are still unclear for me. Coming back to example of “secretary and the boss” this stereotype was formed historically as result of gender inequality, but mass media as tool of enlightenment just shared and made this stereotype stronger. So enlightenment is unable to change already determined perception, isn’t it?
After the seminar I understood the concept of nominalism better and connection between nominalism, fascism, and enlightenment. The professor gave us an example of Plato’s allegory of the cave to explain the idea of Plato’s realism that is about considering the real world. According Plato people are “prisoners” of the cave and they don’t see real objects, just reflections. In order to see the real world we should get out from cave. Nominalism can be defined as anti-realism – the way of escaping of problems.
Fascism inherits tendencies of nominalism. Example is concept of natural order – German is the title nation, some people were born to be slaves, someone were born to be masters. This order of things form definite worldview and perception of things that is far away from real world.
The idea of enlightenment, in its tern, to allow people to see real world, escape from myths, and be masters of own life, destiny and nature. Mass media as tool of enlightenment should have to help to see the real world and change previous understanding of the world. The example of reaching opposite goal is stereotypical image of “young beautiful secretary” and “old rich boss” in American films in 40s.
Benjamin Walter Walter argued that art has revolutionary potential. Reproduction of art is a way of liberation or art and changing power relation as art becomes affordable for all instead of privilege of upper class.
The concept of aura can be explained very simple: “The old things has bigger aura than mass production.”
Some questions are still unclear for me. Coming back to example of “secretary and the boss” this stereotype was formed historically as result of gender inequality, but mass media as tool of enlightenment just shared and made this stereotype stronger. So enlightenment is unable to change already determined perception, isn’t it?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteGood summary of the key concepts of the seminar. As to your question about Adorno & Horkheimer's thoughts on enlightenment and mass media:
You are right that the portrayal of young female secretaries and old male bosses are just a reflection of the social situation in the US in the 1940's.
And I guess this was their point, that there was no enlightenment at all. People were blinded by the American consumerism. Instead of showing what could be, mass media clinged to the status quo and thus created a deception, that there's no going beyond this social scenario. So the question here is, why is society oppressed by superficial commercialization, if they in fact have enlightened foundations?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteGood summary of the key concepts of the seminar. As to your question about Adorno & Horkheimer's thoughts on enlightenment and mass media:
You are right that the portrayal of young female secretaries and old male bosses are just a reflection of the social situation in the US in the 1940's.
And I guess this was their point, that there was no enlightenment at all. People were blinded by the American consumerism. Instead of showing what could be, mass media clinged to the status quo and thus created a deception, that there's no going beyond this social scenario. So the question here is, why is society oppressed by superficial commercialization, if they in fact have enlightened foundations?
I really enjoyed reading your reflection! It shows that you have put a lot of work into it. I agree with your aspect about the concept of nominalism. It is very interesting that nominalism actually upholds National Socialism. Since I was in another group, I enjoyed reading about the example of Plato's "cave" and your examples of enlightment and mass media. In addition to this, have you considered that due to zooming and cutting you will get a fragmented picture of the world looks like? Well done!
ReplyDeleteHi Masha!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts and for a entertaining post. Since I was at the same seminar I recognize big parts of your post and I think that the example with the cave by Plato is a really good way to understand the meaning of Nominalism. And I like your very simple explanation of aura, but what do you say if we compared the aura of one new painting vs an old mass produced book that only remain in a few copies, which has the biggest aura? I would say that the aura is in the uniqueness.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topics and subjects! Something I would recommend for future posts is to separate your paragraphs just a little more, makes it easier to see if the subjects are connected. Interesting question about enlightenment there in the end, I do agree that enlightenment kind of forces us to abolish new ideas and puts us into a locked down mindset. It was probably because of this that A&H was suggesting bringing classic realism back, or at least modernize it. Great reflection, cheers!
Great reflection!
ReplyDeleteThe way fascism inherits from nominalism was interesting, and your summarisation of A&H and Benjamin's thoughts about art's revolutionary potential was really good.
I think your explanation of aura is a little bit simplified since I believe it's about the uniqueness of objects. A new art object can have as much aura as an old one, it's only when they are reproduced that the aura is reduced.
Hello~
ReplyDeleteYour conclusion that Fascism inherits tendencies of nominalism is really direct and awesome. Actually I am confused with why the author put nominalism, fascism, and enlightenment together, after reading your reflection of lecture, I am clear for that now. Thank you for sharing you thoughts! Good luck~
Hi!
ReplyDeleteYou have a well-articulated and interesting blog post with many interesting angles. I think you use good examples, such as Plato's cave to get your point through and interesting that you end with the various questions. Keep up the good work!
/Paul
I was confused for a long time on the relationship between nominalism and Fascism.Thank you for giving me some views on Fascism inherits tendencies of nominalism.Also,you have a good understanding on the mass media by using “young beautiful secretary” and “old rich boss” these two films. And I also think that maybe the aura of arts refer to its authenticity with its existence in the history.
ReplyDeleteGood work,keep it up.
I was confused for a long time on the relationship between nominalism and Fascism.Thank you for giving me some views on Fascism inherits tendencies of nominalism.Also,you have a good understanding on the mass media by using “young beautiful secretary” and “old rich boss” these two films. And I also think that maybe the aura of arts refer to its authenticity with its existence in the history.
ReplyDeleteGood work,keep it up.