THE PRODUCTION OF ART
Philosophical speculation about the production of art centers primarily on the following questions: (1) What is the role of genius, or innate ability, in artistic production? (2) What is the meaning of creativity? and, (3) How do the conditions for producing fine art differ from those for producing only arts and crafts projects?

On the last issue, ancient and medieval philosophers assumed the same model for producing fine art and crafts; they had no conception that the two are distinct – very distinct. The present distinction between the two emerged in Western culture after the Renaissance; nearly all aestheticians now assume that something is unique about producing fine and especially great art.

"Just avoid all that bad art. That's what I do."

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THE DEFINITION OF ART
Attempts to define art generally aim at establishing a set of characteristics applicable to all fine arts as well as the differences that set them apart.  By the middle of the 20th century, aestheticians had not agreed upon a definition of art, and a skeptical position became popular, holding that it is impossible in principle to define art. This skepticism has an interesting parallel in the 18th century when, after many unsuccessful attempts to define beauty, most philosophers agreed that beauty could not be defined in terms of the qualities shared by all beautiful objects.

"Aesthetics or anaesthetics? Hmmm..."

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