Sir Roger Scruton - ART TODAY

As an artist I've always appreciated the work of Sir Roger Scruton, especially his endeavors surrounding art & music. His ability to describe the ephemeral recesses the soul and it's relationship to Beauty is astounding. His death is a devastating blow, but luckily he's left us with plenty of thought-provoking work. In the making of a video on Sir Roger Scruton, I've repeatedly abandoned it. I will just let him speak in his own words, which are so much more effective than anything I could possibly add. I've simply added some personal recommendations of his that I've particularly enjoyed.
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From Wikipedia:
Scruton was trained in analytic philosophy, although he was drawn to other traditions. "I remain struck by the thin and withered countenance that philosophy quickly assumes," he wrote in 2012, "when it wanders away from art and literature, and I cannot open a journal like Mind or The Philosophical Review without experiencing an immediate sinking of the heart, like opening a door into a morgue."[119] He specialised in aesthetics throughout his career. From 1971 to 1992 he taught aesthetics at Birkbeck College. His PhD thesis formed the basis of his first book, Art and Imagination (1974), in which he argued that "what demarcates aesthetic interest from other sorts is that it involves the appreciation of something for its own sake".[120][121] He subsequently published The Aesthetics of Architecture (1979), The Aesthetic Understanding (1983), The Aesthetics of Music (1997),[122] and Beauty (2010). In 2008 a two-day conference was held at Durham University to assess his impact in the field,[123] and in 2012 a collection of essays, Scruton's Aesthetics, edited by Andy Hamilton and Nick Zangwill, was published by Palgrave Macmillan.[124]
In an Intelligence Squared debate in March 2009, Scruton (seconding historian David Starkey) proposed the motion: "Britain has become indifferent to beauty", and held an image of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus next to one of the supermodel Kate Moss.[125] Later that year he wrote and presented a BBC Two documentary, Why Beauty Matters, in which he argued that beauty should be restored to its traditional position in art, architecture and music.[126] He wrote that he had received "more than 500 e-mails from viewers, all but one saying, 'Thank Heavens someone is saying what needs to be said.'"[127] In 2018 he argued that a belief in God makes for more beautiful architecture: "Who can doubt, on visiting Venice, that this abundant flower of aesthetic endeavor was rooted in faith and watered by penitential tears? Surely, if we want to build settlements today we should heed the lesson of Venice. We should begin always with an act of consecration, since we thereby put down the real roots of a community."

[@cryoniccryptid5143]

He will sadly be missed. I’m rather late to the work of Scruton but he was amazing at bringing into words the decline of the art of modernity.

[@sebastianmelmoth685]

Rest in Peace, you beautiful man.

[@EffySalcedo]

Sir Roger will always be a true beautiful soul that shines light🕊

[@vivienfiedlernetoth6137]

Sir Roger Scruton was an extraordinary man. I admire his dedication, his preparedness and the higher style with he pursued his profession. Rest in Peace!

[@aldebaran9255]

As a school teacher, I have the opportunity to inspire young minds. My work is structured within a generous curriculum and within that I have brought in many of Professor Scruton's observations, teachings and guidance. He really does live on.

[@EffySalcedo]

Yes, Sir Roger lives on

[@ArtPhotographerLindsay]

Thank You for doing this!

[@MisterE103]

No truer words weee ever spoken concerning true art vs debased modern “Art”

[@reneknaap1745]

The best summary of modern art I’ve ever heard

[@mesmabelsare]

All I hear in his words is truth. Unapologetic, clean, sharp truth. Revealed with the calmness of a focused seeker.

[@petersolomon5227]

Thank you Sir Roger Scruton for your insight and affirmation that truth and beauty are possible in a world that barely recognises it.

[@jennyoshea1958]

Brilliant reflections on Art, literature and music. Whatever one's political leanings; no one can surely refute this man's simplistic adherence to aesthetics and truth; spoken with such intelligence and eloquent. I could listen to him all day long.

[@garywillis7467]

Thank you Sir Roger - 🙏

[@kwstassikatos2364]

I just saw it. It felt like someone dear to me passed away.

[@TalalAlkhadra]

OMG... you sir have just introduced this wrench to a gem of a resource! best 1/2 hour spent listening to a "man" speak in a long time... way to go Chris

[@Steininger_Art]

Happy to share.

[@scottfoster9452]

Wow!❤

[@stefaneekenulv419]

Love it

[@lookinfortime]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@BELL314159]

THANK YOU for posting this.

[@javierpacheco8234]

The age of modernism which will come and continue to advance but have forgotten about the aesthetic the organic beauty.

[@billnay6988]

Love this

[@beautyandthefaith]

Meaningful

[@PauloConstantino167]

No way... He passed? I am deeply shocked and saddened.

[@philippeyared2050]

I'd love to be infinitesimally as clear-headed to know (objectively) and even more importantly to feel (subjectively) where to put the cursors separating good artistry from failed art and sincere art from mere fakery, but Scruton's way of sounding the alarm bell is salutary.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

3:37 John Rambo was a natural prodigy? 16:28 love it lol

[@tinymushroom7076]

his tirade on kitsch is epic

[@rougemoons6150]

‘Very little faking in the society described by homer’ Don’t know about that, you can argue whether Odysseus is lying or faking but the example he uses in King Lear isn’t far off from the suitors faking their admiration of Telemachus in the Odyssey, no?

[@iR3vil4te]

If you look at the Iliad the heroes are entirely honest: Achilles, for one, is practically incapable of a lie. He says at one point to Odysseus (9.312-3): ἐχθρὸς γάρ μοι κεῖνος ὁμῶς Ἀΐδαο πύλῃσιν ὅς χ᾽ ἕτερον μὲν κεύθῃ ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ἄλλο δὲ εἴπῃ - 'hateful to me as the gates of Hades, is the man who hides one thing in his mind and says another.' Achilles is by his nature incredibly stubborn and forthright, hence why he is so outraged by the fake Agamemnon, and it's one of the most powerful elements of the poem that he approaches his youthful and imminent demise with such self-conviction, self-knowledge, and honesty. As for the Odyssey, admittedly there is a great deal more deception, but Odysseus only lies in so far as he deceives untrustworthy people, or when he doesn't know who he can trust - he is a man entirely on his own and trickery is a necessary tool for his own survival. He doesn't really live in Homeric society until when he is restored to it at the very end; The Iliad is a much more useful text in this regard. And as for the suitors, well obviously they are fakes because they are the bad guys, and inevitably they receive their just comeuppance.

[@ValzainLumivix]

RIP

[@javierpacheco8234]

This discussion is very true but i feel like it will be censored by the modernists. Beauty from our culture, our history, our language and our art and architecture is important and is important to our life and happiness. There clearly is a discord in our society with our architecture and art.

[@harrytd]

Sir Roger would not be allowed on the BBC today. Too knowledgeable, too truthful, too erudite, male and most of all, White.

[@javierpacheco8234]

Which is unfair and isn't freedom of speech. They marginalize him and censor him which is wrong.

[@latitudeselongitudes1932]

Also heterossexual

[@MetaAndrej]

I’m glad he didn’t have to endure the covid 19 nonsense

[@hargous]

Sir Roger Scruton is the Luc Ferry of the english tongue. Very similar voice.

[@ivohernandez5154]

Posterity will make clear what was 2020’s biggest loss for Britain: Brexit, or the passing away of Roger Scruton

[@jasonjudd3810]

How was Brexit a big loss for Britain? By that statement alone- it shows what pedestrian mind you have.. an ant who cannot see what’s in front of the stone.

[@jasonjudd3810]

@Colmillo Blanco Thankyou Sir. I agree with you- It was an egregious conflation and an insult to Sir Roger. I actually think it was a petty afterthought by a Pro European who quite liked Sir Roger Scruton but hated Brexit. It baffles me how immature and pathetic these people are - who are willing to use the subject of a Great Mans death to propagate their political ideals. Nevertheless; thanks again for your support. My Regards and respect .

[@jasonjudd3810]

@Colmillo Blanco I agree with everything you have said Sir. We absolutely have lost our way in the West ; above all we are Spiritually lost and this has led to a complete breakdown in our moral and intellectual fabric. Which in turn has led to the current lockdown situation where most people have slept walked into Totalitarianism and Oblivion. Please keep your independent thoughts and individuality- do not let the herd influence you. May I recommend Nietzsche ( if you’ haven’t indulged already) of which You can also find good quality Introductions, Summary’s and Documentaries on KZbin. He explains a lot what’s happening today. I also agree with you regarding Eastern Europe; they still understand the dangers of group-think and collective dogma Thanks for your intelligent thoughts and fierce individuality Sir.

[@jasonjudd3810]

@Colmillo Blanco Hello my friend; yes I am an Englishman- but I am living in Switzerland at the moment. Thankyou for your reply - I agree that Nietzsche was ultimately fighting with himself and Basel is a sad footnote in his life because of this struggle. I am very aware of Schopenhauer also; an incredible mind who really lit up the torture of life and tried to offer a pathway to a small serenity. My favorite writer is Thomas Mann who was influenced heavily by both Neitzsche and Schopenhauer (and other artists and philosophers) Mann was struggling to find a balance between many sides of his personality . You’re English is incredibly good by the way- and where are you writing from?

[@jasonjudd3810]

@Colmillo Blanco Hello Sir; yes I have heard from many people that Germany has been the worst “ Western “ Country regarding the Corona measures. I think everywhere has had it bad- but Germany has had the longest and most stringent (and confusing) measures- Merkel seems overwhelmed by the situation. Switzerland is ok but still not “ normal “.. However; “ Ski season” was open as usual ! There’s a lot about this “situation” that is not clear for many reasons ; and it’s obvious to me there are hidden motives. I agree with you; the world has gone completely crazy and it’s heading quickly into oblivion. I think Sir Roger left at the right time... I feel these are the times that we need great thinkers to help Civilization .. otherwise it’s not looking good for the future as the “ fabric” of Society is crumbling already.

[@MrMjp58]

The great RS. All public art is left wing obsessed.

[@johngore5127]

Art wrapping itself in metaphysics is an act of delusion of grandeur. This new idea of what art serves, that is, either God or man, separates real art from self aggrandizing, self worship. If your serve God with your art it is an act of worship. If your art serves the self it is an act of self worship, and there can be no redemption outside of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All action outside of the Christian Gospel is idolatry, which is the foundation of the modern, post-Enlightenment world.

[@ElectricLabel]

His politics were bullshit, but very few could articulate the purposes of art so eloquently.