Ethical Role of Art in Cultural Transcendence

Since long time back, investigation about relationship between art and ethics has been among the most fundamental theoretical issues of art. Among the main factors for the significance of this issue, mention may be made of the astonishing effect of art and artistic works on human emotions and feelings, it’s unique power to idea to action, and consolidation of ethical doctrines and even deepening of ethical perceptions. There are different theories explaining the relationship between the two. Some theories (the most important of which is discussed in this paper) emphasizes the moral function of art and consequently its limitation to some constraints as well asits role in deepening ethical beliefs and perceptions. Other theories, under the influence of emergence and advent of “personal art” in the modern world (which is the result of resorting to reason and separation-based science, leading to notions such as art for art), either emphasize on the separation of ethical and aesthetic aspects of artistic works or speak of its decline. The main focus of this paper is to discuss the significance and role of art in cultural transcendence of a society. Hence, the above mentioned theories have been critically studied and based on rational arguments emphasis has been laid on a theory in which ethical and humane values have a pivotal role.