this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2026

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Why don’t we separate the art from the artist? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 week ago* by ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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With the rise of cancel culture, it’s something that’s got me curious, why are so many works (music, literature, tv shows, etc.) no longer separated from their controversial makers? Is it purely to do with money (e.g. not wanting to give money to people you don’t agree with?) and what about controversial people who are dead? They don’t gain anything, so why isn’t the art separated from the artist? What’s your opinion on this topic?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago (20 children)

What about caveman hand paintings? Are they not art? What politics did they hold?

They were to tell stories and communicate ideas of community, shared identity, and warnings. They were political.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] 0 points 1 week ago (19 children)

May I ask, what’s your specific definition of ‘politics’?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago (18 children)

The term “politics” originates from the Greek politiká, meaning “affairs of the city” (polis). Aristotle, in his work Politics, conceptualizes politics as the activity that seeks the common good within the community.

Even the very fundamental beginnings of the term "politics" is rooted in how we relate to each other.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -4 points 1 week ago (17 children)

No, I said what’s your definition, not the one you’ve just pulled off google

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 week ago (16 children)

Even the very fundamental beginnings of the term “politics” is rooted in how we relate to each other.

Here is my personal comment on it. Do you think I would pull a definition of politics that I don't agree with to bolster my point of view here?

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] 1 point 1 week ago (15 children)

Ok, fine.

Aristotle, in his work Politics, conceptualizes politics as the activity that seeks the common good within the community.

So would you argue that every single piece of art seeks to find ‘the common good’ in people with no polarisation? Are you really telling me that by your agreed definition, all art is created with this purpose?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago (14 children)

find ‘the common good’ in people with no polarisation?

You're expanding on the original definition that you pulled to make it seem like Aristotle would agree with you here.

All art is political. That doesn't mean it is created with the purpose of being political.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -2 points 1 week ago* (13 children)

Hang on, you’re saying ‘common good’ isn’t aiming for all people to be united? What’s your definition then? Some but not all?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 week ago (12 children)

You're putting words in my mouth like you did to Aristotle.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] 0 points 1 week ago* (11 children)

So explain it then. Explain to me what he meant by ‘common good’?

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[–] zbyte64@awful.systems 1 point 6 days ago

I mean even defining what is the "common good" is political and that is the point of the exercise. If art exists that is deemed bad for society then we tend to ban it. For example, there are people who define CSAM as art, but the cost to society is so great we don't allow even the possession of such material.

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (9 children)

Why would I continue to waste time engaging in a respectful and interesting conversation with you when you're insistent on redefining my own comments and others' definitions solely so it fits within your own defined idea of politics? You're not engaging in good faith.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -4 points 1 week ago* (8 children)

I’m asking you a simple question. If you can’t explain it, fine, but don’t pretend you know what you’re talking about.

All art is political. That doesn’t mean it is created with the purpose of being political

That’s bullshit. Not all art was made for the purpose you define as political, and not all art achieves that aim either

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago (7 children)

The existence of art is political. The ability to create art is political. The freedom to create art and have a voice is political.

I already said that not all art is created with the purpose of being political. That doesn't mean it's existence isn't political.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -2 points 1 week ago (6 children)

Ok, but to be called ‘political’ do you agree that art must either have been created political, or serve a political purpose?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (5 children)

No.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -3 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Explain how it can be political without either being created political or serving a political purpose?

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

The existence of art is political. The ability to create art is political. The freedom to create art and have a voice is political.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] -4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Explain how

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[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (1 child)

Art is one way we relate to or communicate with each other. It is inherently political.

Hannah Arendt, in her work The Human Condition, redefines politics as the space of appearance where individuals, through action and speech, reveal their identity and participate in the construction of the common world. For Arendt, politics is not merely an institutional activity but the manifestation of human plurality and the capacity to initiate something new.

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[–] ReconciliationTime22128@sh.itjust.works [S] 1 point 1 week ago

I disagree, but I’m not going to be hostile about it, you have your view, I have mine. We’re not going to convince each other to change

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