Arts are to the sciences, what emotions are to reason.
ancient polarity reflecting the difference between two different capabilities and impulses of the human mind. Because the sciences are objective and impersonal, they can take the risk of validating even the most unpleasant thruths. The arts on the other hand deal with specific human follies and passions, offending readers by communicating to them candidly about their own impulses, which went unacknowledged earlier.
Yes, it is very much the function of arts to dwell on the otherwise hidden aspects of human nature, Our instinctive urge for rhythm, right since the dawn of civilization, is so obvious that we take it for granted rarely claiming it to be a special talent. And yet most of the ritualistic gatherings in all societies are accaompanied by music, even today. Our ability to coordinate musical notes, whether through singing ourselves or through listening to others, is an example of how the inherent impulses are manifested through the art of making music.
Arts are often said to be a mirror of the society. I would go a step further and suggest that arts offer not only a reflection, but also an interpretation of life. That means, that arts results not from a passive process, but is an outcome of an active interpretive process in the artist's mind. An artist, whichever medium he might choose, attempts to present before us a worldview, as he sees it. And owing to the keenness of perception mostly attributed to artists, he can pinpoint several latent trails of the society, and of mankind in general, which otherwise might remain hidden.
Take for example, the negative emotions, which no one would like to.
acknowledge. Who would, given a choice, admit that he or she is haunted, at times, by jealousy, selfish motives and the like? But when we read about characters who are as fallible as we are, we identify with them and that is one of the main reasons why we enjoy reading fiction.