--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a world where nearly everything that…" description: "\"“In a world where nearly everything that passes for art is tinny and commercial and often, in addition, hollow and academic, I argue--by reason and by ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/john-champlin-gardner-jr-49637_art_in-a-world-where-nearly-everything-that_3127416.jpg" --- # In a world where nearly everything that passes for art is… ![“In a world where nearly everything that passes for art is tinny and commercial and often, in addition, hollow and academic, I argue--by reason and by banging the table--for an old-fashioned view of what art is and does and what the fundamental business of critics ought therefore to be. Not that I…” quote by John Champlin Gardner Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/john-champlin-gardner-jr-49637_art_in-a-world-where-nearly-everything-that_3127416.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/john-champlin-gardner-jr-49637_art_in-a-world-where-nearly-everything-that_3127416.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/john-champlin-gardner-jr-49637_art_in-a-world-where-nearly-everything-that_3127416.jpg) > ““In a world where nearly everything that passes for art is tinny and commercial and often, in addition, hollow and academic, I argue--by reason and by banging the table--for an old-fashioned view of what art is and does and what the fundamental business of critics ought therefore to be. Not that I want joy taken out of the arts; but even frothy entertainment is not harmed by a touch of moral responsibility, at least an evasion of too fashionable simplifications.”” [John Champlin Gardner Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-champlin-gardner-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues critics should uphold moral responsibility in art, resisting shallow, commercial trends. **In simple terms:** Critics must balance joy with ethical standards. Key Takeaway Promote thoughtful, responsible criticism. Themes art criticism ethics commercialism culture Mood reflective critical serious Type essay manifesto When to use this quote - film reviews - literary analysis - museum curation - media commentary Key Concepts moral responsibility cultural stewardship Questions to Reflect On - Should critics prioritize moral duty over enjoyment? - Can art be both entertaining and responsible? A Different Perspective Risk of stifling artistic freedom with over‑caution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Moral responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [Critics ought never to be consulted, but while errors may yet be rectified or insipidity suppressed. 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