Emotions in Response to Artworks According to Ibn Sīnā's Philosophy

Abstract

We aim to explore emotions in response to artworks according to Ibn Sīnā's philosophy. To arouse emotions and imagination are the main features that define an artwork in Avicennian philosophy. The issue finds expression mainly in his treatises on poetry and music. Among various styles of poems, Ibn Sīnā' meticulously discusses emotions in his definition of tragedy and epic e.g. he holds words and the meaning of the styles would be composed in a way that arouses emotions like passion, pity, and sympathy. Thus, we seek to address the raised questions: what kinds of emotions are aroused in facing a work of art? What factors evoke emotions? How do emotions interact with the perception and judgment of the artworks and their beauty? The paper is divided into four parts dealing with the definition of form and beauty as the main elements of a work of art in Ibn Sīnā's view, different types of emotion that a work of art can elicit the factors that evoke emotion, and the role of emotions in perceiving art. The findings reveal that the collaboration of the three factors of form, imagination, and human nature paves the way to evoke emotions. As the objective component, the artwork consists of Hosn-e-nazm (order), Hosn-e- ta’līf (beautiful composition), and e'tedāl (harmony) that elicit passion. Using more complicated designs and stories, unexpected endings, or specific figures of speech in poetry, for instance, are the techniques Ibn Sīnā suggest attracting the audiences profoundly. Imagination and human nature are the subjective elements that reflect more in cultural aspects. Ibn Sina believes that the feeling of happiness would be aroused when people of various regions find the musical rhythm in harmony with their cultural taste. Moreover, emotions in concert with cognitions are ways to understand the meaning and judge the beauty and value of a work of art.

Keywords

• emotions
• artistic forms
• ibn sina
• aesthetic experience