This 6-8 page essay assignment will be completed in three parts. You may want to use section headers to organize your paper. Remember to explain the theories you reference with supporting citations to the textbook and online lectures in correct APA format.  Part I. The Self Discuss the avocado idea of the self and explain at least one version of the idea that human beings have a shared essential nature (such as Cartesian rationalism or Greek philosophy). Contrast this account with the artichoke idea of the self (drawing upon existentialism to develop your account) and a discussion of how the modern/avocado and postmodern/artichoke ideas of the self differ. You may use your analysis from the Week 2 assignments to develop your account in Part I. Part II. The Avocado Self and Art as Representation Explain the idea that art is mimesis (Plato and/or Aristotle) and how this is like the avocado idea of the self. Discuss a character/narrator/subject in a work of art (novel, poem, film, graphic novel, short story, television show, song, painting, etc.) who you think captures the avocado/art as mimesis idea that we have an essential, shared human nature and that art reflects this reality for us. Part III. The Artichoke Self and Art as Transformation  Explain the idea that art is transformative/how artistic creation expresses the unity of subject and object (Nietzsche, Schelling, and/or Heidegger). Discuss how this reflects the artichoke idea of the self. Discuss a character/narrator/subject in a work of art (novel, poem, film, graphic novel, short story, television show, song, painting, etc.) who you think captures the artichoke/post-modern idea of the self and the idea that art creates truth. Part IV. Art and Philosophy Finally, reflect upon the relationship between art and philosophy by considering some of the following questions: Are the self and the material world distinct entities, as Descartes thinks? What are some examples of representative art that illustrate the idea that the subject/mind and the object/world/body are distinct? Alternatively, are the self and the world organic unities, as Schelling argues? How might artistic creation express this unity of subject and object? Is art mimesis/representation (as in Platonism and Aristotelian aesthetics) or is it a means of transforming the self and reality? Might it be aspirational, allowing us to achieve catharsis, as Aristotle suggests? Consider, too, how the idea of art as representation is akin to the avocado view while the idea of art as transformative is more like the artichoke view. What is the relationship between art and philosophy? Do you agree with Descartes that logic and critical thinking are the best means of achieving certainty about reality and existence, or is your view more akin to the perspective of Keats, Schelling, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and/or Heidegger that art is the ultimate expression of truth? How are these views a rejection of the natural standpoint we se.

1. This 6-8 page essay assignment will be completed in three parts.
You may want to use section headers to organize your paper.
Remember to explain the theories you reference with supporting
citations to the textbook and online lectures in correct APA
format.
Part I. The Self
Discuss the avocado idea of the self and explain at least one
version of the idea that human beings have a shared essential
nature (such as Cartesian rationalism or Greek philosophy).
Contrast this account with the artichoke idea of the self
(drawing upon existentialism to develop your account) and a
discussion of how the modern/avocado and
postmodern/artichoke ideas of the self differ. You may use your
analysis from the Week 2 assignments to develop your account
in Part I.
Part II. The Avocado Self and Art as Representation
Explain the idea that art is mimesis (Plato and/or Aristotle) and
how this is like the avocado idea of the self. Discuss a
character/narrator/subject in a work of art (novel, poem, film,
graphic novel, short story, television show, song, painting, etc.)
who you think captures the avocado/art as mimesis idea that we
have an essential, shared human nature and that art reflects this
reality for us.
Part III. The Artichoke Self and Art as Transformation
Explain the idea that art is transformative/how artistic creation
expresses the unity of subject and object (Nietzsche, Schelling,
and/or Heidegger). Discuss how this reflects the artichoke idea
of the self. Discuss a character/narrator/subject in a work of art

2. (novel, poem, film, graphic novel, short story, television show,
song, painting, etc.) who you think captures the artichoke/post-
modern idea of the self and the idea that art creates truth.
Part IV. Art and Philosophy
Finally, reflect upon the relationship between art and
philosophy by considering some of the following questions:
Are the self and the material world distinct entities, as
Descartes thinks? What are some examples of representative art
that illustrate the idea that the subject/mind and the
object/world/body are distinct? Alternatively, are the self and
the world organic unities, as Schelling argues? How might
artistic creation express this unity of subject and object?
Is art mimesis/representation (as in Platonism and Aristotelian
aesthetics) or is it a means of transforming the self and reality?
Might it be aspirational, allowing us to achieve catharsis, as
Aristotle suggests? Consider, too, how the idea of art as
representation is akin to the avocado view while the idea of art
as transformative is more like the artichoke view.
What is the relationship between art and philosophy? Do you
agree with Descartes that logic and critical thinking are the best
means of achieving certainty about reality and existence, or is
your view more akin to the perspective of Keats, Schelling,
Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and/or Heidegger that art is the
ultimate expression of truth? How are these views a rejection of
the natural standpoint we see adopted by empiricism and
rationalism and rejected by phenomenology?
Do some kinds of art (music, for example) express the truth
more fully than others? How so? How does the idea and purpose
of art differ across cultures?