Science and the modern worldWhitehead, Alfred North
Religion
Science and the modern world
Whitehead, Alfred North
Science
dealing with circumstances; and this way is only strengthened by having
a proper variety of circumstances to deal with.
This fertilisation of the soul is the reason for the necessity of art. A
static value, however serious and important, becomes unendurable by its
appalling monotony of endurance. The soul cries aloud for release into
change. It suffers the agonies of claustrophobia. The transitions of
humour, wit, irreverence, play, sleep, and—above all—of art are
necessary for it. Great art is the arrangement of the environment so as
to provide for the soul vivid, but transient, values. Human beings
require something which absorbs them for a time, something out of the
routine which they can stare at. But you cannot subdivide life, except
in the abstract analysis of thought. Accordingly, the great art is more
than a transient refreshment. It is something which adds to the
permanent richness of the soul’s self-attainment. It justifies itself
both by its immediate enjoyment, and also by its discipline of the
inmost being. Its discipline is not distinct from enjoyment, but by
reason of it. It transforms the soul into the permanent realisation of
values extending beyond its former self. This element of transition in
art is shown by the restlessness exhibited in its history. An epoch gets
saturated by the masterpieces of any one style. Something new must be
discovered. The human being wanders on. Yet there is a balance in
things. Mere change before the attainment of adequacy of achievement,
either in quality or output, is destructive of greatness. But the
importance of a living art, which moves on and yet leaves its permanent
mark, can hardly be exaggerated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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