Transcript PowerPoint

Art, Methods, and Science
Art, Methods, and Science
1. Drawing and Art
• Consider the drawings shown on the next two
slides.
• “The Star” (1871-1881), drawn by Edgar
Degas.
• “The Dancer” (2009), drawn by Steve Sapp.
“The Star” (1871-1881) Edgar Degas
“The Dancer” (2009) Steve Sapp
Art, Methods, and Science
1. Drawing and Art (Continued)
• Degas and Sapp have the same tools at their
disposal.
• That is, both Degas and Sapp readily can find
canvas, paint, and brushes at easily affordable
prices. And both persons have training in the
fundamental concepts of drawing and art
design.
Art, Methods, and Science
1. Drawing and Art (Continued)
• “The Star,” by Degas delights us and therefore
makes a valuable contribution to the well-being
of human kind.
• “The Dancer,” by Sapp is awful.
Art, Methods, and Science
1. Drawing and Art (Continued)
• The difference between “The Star” and “The
Dancer” lies not in a difference between the
availability of tools and techniques, but in the
fact that Degas rather than Sapp has
successfully captured an image of reality, and
thereby has significantly influenced our hearts
and minds.
Art, Methods, and Science
2. Methods and Science
• The concepts, perspectives, techniques, and
methods you will learn this semester are tools.
• These tools are readily available to all. And
training in how to use them, albeit sometimes
difficult to grasp, are available to those who
desire to receive this training.
Art, Methods, and Science
2. Methods and Science (Continued)
• The difference between methods and science,
like the difference between drawing and art, lies
not in the availability of tools, but in the ability of
the practitioner to accurately depict a segment
of reality.
• The person who combines methods with theory,
who successfully builds and tests theories that
reasonably depict reality, makes a valuable
contribution to society.
Art, Methods, and Science
2. Methods and Science (Continued)
• I urge you, therefore, to give your training in
theory the same attention you give to this
course in methods.
• It is your ability to combine methods with theory
that will define you as a scientist, as one who
makes valuable contributions to the well-being
of society.