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David Davies examines the ontology of multiple artworks, such as books and musical performances. He argues against a theory of multiple works as 'types' that are independent of creative and appreciative acts, instead defending a view on which they are performances essentially embedded in artistic practices.
List of contents
- Introduction
- 1: What is a Multiple Artwork?
- 2: Multiple Artworks as Abstract Entities: An Introductory Overview
- 3: Two Explananda for a Theory of Multiples: Perceivability and Creatability
- 4: Two Further Explananda: Fine Individuation and Performance Means
- 5: 5. Methodological Interlude: The Primacy of Practice in the Ontology of Art
- 6: Further Explananda: Flexibility and variability
- 7: The Nine Explananda Revisited
- 8: Non-Platonist Ontologies of Multiples
- 9: Multiple Artworks as Wollheimian Types
- 10: Can Non-Platonists be Realists about Multiple Artworks?
About the author
David Davies is Professor in the Department of Philosophy at McGill University, where he has taught since 1987. He completed a BA at Oxford and did graduate study in philosophy at Manitoba and Western Ontario. His doctoral thesis was on Putnam and Dummett's 'anti-realism'. His research specializations are in philosophy of art, especially metaphysical and epistemological issues relating to literature, film, photography, and the visual and performing arts. Other research areas include metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind. He is a member of the RSC and former president of the ASA (2021-23).
Summary
David Davies examines the ontology of multiple artworks, such as books and musical performances. He argues against a theory of multiple works as 'types' that are independent of creative and appreciative acts, instead defending a view on which they are performances essentially embedded in artistic practices.
