Skip to content

On reflection, moral judgment in the arts appears rather…

“On reflection, moral judgment in the arts appears rather as a tribute to their power to influence emotion and possibly conduct. And reflecting further on what some critics do today, one sees that a good many have merely shifted the ground of their moralism, transferring their impulse of…” quote by Jacques Barzun
Download Open image
“On reflection, moral judgment in the arts appears rather as a tribute to their power to influence emotion and possibly conduct. And reflecting further on what some critics do today, one sees that a good many have merely shifted the ground of their moralism, transferring their impulse of righteousness to politics and social issues.”

Jacques Barzun

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Art influences emotions and behavior; critics often redirect moral concerns to politics.

In simple terms: Art shapes feelings; critics shift focus to politics.

Key Takeaway

Recognize art’s emotional power and critique responsibly.

Themes

art morality politics criticism

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • political commentary
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

aesthetic influence ethical relativism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does art affect personal values?
  • When is political critique appropriate in art?
A Different Perspective

Critics may oversimplify complex works.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jacques Barzun

Explore all 135 Jacques Barzun quotes

More Art quotes

Browse all 48,643 Art quotes