The Popular Arts

            
             Mid term essay derived from Aesthetics in Perspective .
             Today popular art can be defined as anything except for intelligent. The type of art society most commonly subjects itself to is projected on a television and more often than not has some sort of gratuitous theme or other indulgence desire us as people urn to watch. Since Plato the popular arts have been routinely criticized by a good amount of philosophers. Two main problems, especially in Plato's eyes, are at the root of the problem with the popular arts. First the fact that the imitation of whatever is being displayed is mistaken for some sort reality which can be damaging. Secondly, the sheer vulgarity and general crudeness of popular art or popular entertainment. However, I feel that these two so called problems with popular art rather minuscule and can be beneficial ways to let the general populous enjoy everyday life.
             There is a belief by some that too much exposure to the representations of reality we see could influence us to make poor judgments because we blur the line for example between TV and reality. While in some extreme cases this may be true some philosophers make popular art out to be one more peril that man has to conquer in his life time always being cautious that if he watches too many episodes of Superman he may get the impression that he can fly. While that criticism may not be fair, the philosophers that criticize don't take it to that extreme usually, it's more along the lines of how we act in our every day lives I still don't think they give people enough credit. I feel the majority of society can make the distinction between reality and fantasy. People get a sense of enjoyment out of watching a reality TV show or raunchy comedic sitcom because both are probably unlike they"re own daily lives. When something can stir a new reaction out of people or just a reaction that makes them laugh a little more or shock them of course people will flock to it, it's entertaining.