Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization Page 7

Thus Freud and Nietzsche have come to very similar conclusions on the role of art in our life. Freud shows that art helps relieve the natural tensions between nature and civilization. Nietzsche shows that art fulfills a role to stabilize the dialectical relationship between the dionysian and the apollinian. Given this knowledge, how can we classify art?

Art serves as a bridge between the reality of nature and the order of civilization. It could not exist without the tension filled relationship between nature and civilization. Without civilization we would not have the evolved mind to appreciate art, and without nature art would have no beautiful content to take form in. Thus both nature and civilization are needed to manifest art, and art is what allows them both to coexist. By definition, a bridge is a means of connection or transition, and art serves a means of connection or transition between nature and civilization.

By studying Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents and Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy we can attain a solid understanding of the relationship between nature and civilization. Just as a bridge would collapse if it one of its supports were to be removed, art could not exist without its supports, nature and civilization. While the relationship between nature and civilization is filled with tension, art serves as a bridge and allows the two to coexist and continue to grow.

Page 1 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 2 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 3 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 4 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 5 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 6 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization
Page 7 of Art's Role in the Battle between Nature and Civilization