Dogmatism

<p>I think you make a fair point, Charles, in assessing the art produced by a culture and a time period. I also think that has to be balanced—or if not balanced at least considered along with—the art as produced by the individual as well and even the art divorced from the politics or social significance of that individual. I find it becomes a deeper picture. So, I can listen to late Beethoven and consider how his growing deafness has a role in what he composed. But I can also listen to the music more abstractly and just exist with it in the moment. Each is its own experience and then each experience becomes an even bigger experience when they occur simultaneously and with some overlap. Likewise, with Leni Riefenstahl's work, which has very significant social and political consequences and influences. But taken "in itself" (to whatever degree possible), there's a valuable experience I may not be able to have if I'm too involved with the politics of it all, even though the politics will also cast a cloud over the work on a more intellectual level.</p>

<p>In terms of era, that's important. I can certainly regret the morality and prevailing cultural missteps of a certain time period, and I can genuinely bemoan the art of the time reflecting that. At the same time, there's something to consider in looking at the art of a given time trying at least to some extent to adopt the viewpoint of that time, understand where the art may be coming from, and forgive it (or at least contextualize) certain transgressions that today might well be unacceptable. While it's a bit campy to do, I tend to get a little peeved when I go to a movie from the 40s and people hiss at so-called politically incorrect presentations of women, as the dutiful housewife, etc. It was a different time, and I think some degree of acceptance of what it was like then and how a director might have been working within his milieu has to offset by whatever I may find objectionable in that behavior taken out of its temporal context.</p>

<p>"Dogmatism"</p>

<p>A sad reflection of humanity.</p>

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