Review article
Functionalism, proceduralism - institutional and hybrid theories of art
Davor Pećnjak
; Institute of Philosophy
Božica Jakas
Abstract
Functional theories of art set out to define artworks in terms of certain functions that have to be fulfilled by an object in order for that object to be judged an artwork. Procedural theories suggest certain procedures by which the same object may
be judged to be an artwork. The article examines the most famous procedural theory of
art – the institutional theory – in the two versions developed by George Dickie. Despite
the fact that the institutional theory introduced a social factor as an important element in defining what an artwork is, it has faced many serious objections. )n the light
of these objections, it seems that the institutional theory of art is too broad. )n order
to avoid a certain number of objections, parts of the institutional theory may be combined with other ȋfunctionalȌ conditions in such a way as to arrive at so-called hybrid
theories of art. )t can be shown that these are more successful than the institutional
theory. (owever, they also elicit some objections.
Keywords
Definitions of art; institutional theory of art; hybrid theories of art; functionalism; proceduralism; Dickie; Davies.
Hrčak ID:
260706
URI
Publication date:
3.7.2016.
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