The Decline of Art in Western Civilization | Yaron Lectures

In his lecture "The Decline of Art in Western Civilization," Yaron Brook explores how the prevailing philosophical outlook in a culture is reflected in its art. Using examples spanning centuries, he traces the evolution of the view of humanity through major works of sculpture.Brook contrasts the static, idealized figures of ancient Egypt, the downtrodden and despairing forms of the Middle Ages, the heroic and life-affirming works of the Renaissance (highlighting Michelangelo), and the fragmented, distorted human depictions of the modern era (examining works by Giacometti). Through these comparisons, he illustrates the decline of art's portrayal of humanity as philosophical ideas moved away from reason and individualism toward nihilism and subjectivism.Delivered in Oslo, Norway, on December 1, 2024.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/yaron-brook-show--3276901/support.Yaron is the executive chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and a world class speaker. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government, Equal is Unfair: America's Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality and In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. He speaks around the world on a variety of topics including the morality of capitalism, Ayn Rand and her philosophy, finance and economics, and the value of inequality.