This study sets out to develop a sociological approach to art and literature which views art as a socially situated knowledge and which at the same time preserves an independent and unique sphere of activity for art that enables it to offer life opportunities of a different nature from those of the established social order. To fulfill this task two complementary studies were carried out; a theoretical investigation and an empirical research. First, this critically examines existing theories in the sociology of knowledge and art and focuses on the problem of the 'social determination of art and literature.' This examination is based in the consideration of art as an element in the knowledge sphere and the sociology of art as a branch of the sociology of knowledge. A critique of the notion of the 'social determination of art' leads to a set of hypotheses which are tested in the field. The question of great art problematises the 'social determination' hypotheses. Secondly, an empirical study of Australian playwrights is carried out which examines the hypotheses derived from the theoretical investigation. The empirical methods of this study is a survey, using a mail questionnaire, supported by interviews with professionals in Australian drama. This is combined with a documentary study of the socio-economic conditions of Australia during the last 25 years, together with content analysis of plays written by Australian playwrights during the same period. The results of the empirical investigation support the proposed hypotheses showing that while social conditions effect contemporary artistic works, this effect is not uniform when comparing 'first rate' of 'great art' with other artistic creations. This questions the concept of the social determination of art explored in the thesis, and at the same time questions the extent and scope of such a determination. Finally, the conclusion of the thesis is that sociology is relevant in the analysis of artistic works so long as it is concerned with the social dimension of art. It is concluded that the aesthetic knowledge of the artist, which determines the quality of artistic works, is independent from social forces. Although art bears the mark of contemporary social conditions, it is not a product of these conditions. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/235668 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Ravadrad, Azam, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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