troubles of that damn Aesthetics (/Philosophy of Art ) class
ARTWORLD = INSTITUTION = PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
This is what I have that connects George Dickie's description of art as [a definable] insitution to Morris Weitz's claim that art is indefinable because there are only similarities between all works of art and not necessary and sufficient conditions that make a definition possible. I find it ridiculous that it took me a couple of days to come to this point.
So that it makes sense to both you and I, let me expand, a little:
In the "artworld" there are works of art, of course, like a psychiatric hospital has patients. Now both works of art and patients receive that status because it is conferred on them by a member who is acting on behalf of the institution. This does not mean that all works of art and all mental patients have necessary and sufficient properties that determine their status; works of art resemble each other in medium, in style, emotion, and so forth, just as mental patients have similar conditions, reactions and experiences.
You know what, I probably won't agree with this two months from now, nor will I understand it.
The exam for this course is worth 50% of my mark. HAHAHAHAHA. And it is happening on a Saturday night, after writing two exams the day before. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ridiculous.