AESTHETIC VALUE AND MORAL VALUE

Abstract

Débora Arango was the first internationally well-known Colombian female artist. Her work was developed between 1930 and 1980, and it explored controversial issues from that time. Because of that, her works were removed from local museums. In her defense, she said: “I am convinced that art, as a manifestation of culture, does not have anything to do with moral codes. Art is neither amoral nor immoral. Its domain simply doesn't intersect with any ethical principle.” There have been many views about the relation between moral values and aesthetic values. Those views are called moralism or ethicism, immoralism, opportunistic moralism and, autonomism. Here, I want to i) discuss the differences and similarities, ii) find an alternative way to think about this matter.