CMNS 110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: High Culture, Cultural Capital, Low Culture
Document Summary
Gap b/w high culture & popular culture measurable in terms of both artistic quality & intellectual stimulation. High culture encompasses best works of art that have ever been produced. On this view, certain cultural products truly are genuine works of art . Second aspect of arnold"s view of high culture - about effects of works of art on ppl exposed to them on regular basis. Great works can raise our souls to higher levels of imagination & understanding than if we had never been exposed to them. Possible to understand viewing of great painting/paying careful attn to great symphony as almost religious experiences. Cultural situation we live in privileges mindless entertainments over high culture: & latter gets marginalized as former expands power & influence. On view like that of arnold, great works of art important aspects of what makes life worth living. W/o them, we would be fed on diet of cultural rubbish bad for mind & ruinous for soul.