Danto Question 2

Is an opinion formed without knowing conception or context equally as valuable as one which is formed upon the basis of the context? Is this opinion arrogant and naïve? Is ignorance sometimes better in the art world?

An opinion formed without knowing conception or context is equally as valuable as one formed with such information. Context is not important apart from understand a work of art or a work of literature. This opinion without conception or context is not naive, it is just not based on facts, and on feelings instead. Not knowing as much information about a work of literature does not decrease the pleasure and emotion attained from it. I would not say that this is being ignorant, but I think it is important that one eventually learn about the context or conception of a work of art or literature. Taking Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel Crime and Punishment into this argument, not knowing everything about Fyodor Dostoyevsky or the historical context in which the book was written. Although, knowing that Dostoyevsky felt guilty after his father's death and experienced psychological trauma in a camp in Siberia. That is equally as important but it can arrive later in appreciating a work of art or literature.

Not knowing information about a certain work of art is not better but is only sufficient for a time, but information should eventually be known about a work in order for more understanding to progress.