Art and Philosophy are two different realms that have been intertwined for centuries.

Philosophy being a
logical and formal way that sought answers about existence, reality, knowledge, and ethics while Arts is
defined as the expression or application of human creative imagination. Both realms seek to express
their understanding of various aspects of the world, as it says “single art piece can mean different things
to different people”, it is the same way as different philosophers have different interpretations to a single
concept. Art and Philosophy are connected in a way that they influence one another, art serves as
medium for philosophy and philosophy influences art practices. Art is a way to communicate the
principles and meaning philosophy wants to imply in aesthetically pleasing way.

The quote “And no wonder, for art is a powerful catalyst for such abilities as power of imagination, keen
intuition and the knack of association, abilities needed by both scientists and philosophers”, for me, this
implies that art has the ability to enhance our cognitive skills, intuition, and critical thinking that are not
only needed by artists but also by scientists and philosophers. Art can be a way of scientists and
philosopher of expressing their thoughts and knowledge. One thing strikes me when I read this quote as a
Filipino, I remember when Philippines were under the Spanish colonization, where we have no right to
express and fight for our country. What Filipino artists did back then was used their creative thinking,
intuition, and skills to express their advocacy for justice and rights that we deserve. Artworks such as Jose
Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” serve as catalysts for the Philippine revolution,
molding our consciousness of the quest for independence. Another artwork by a Filipino artist that shows
the power of art in expressing their philosophical belief is Juan Luna’s missing piece ‘Hymen, oh
Hyménée’ which is considered the holy grail of Philippine Art. The art may look like a typical Roman
wedding as a lot of his art was European-inspired, but some experts believed that it was a gift for Paz, his
wife and it mirrors their own wedding. In ancient Rome, marriage was a significant rite of passage that
solidified one’s status and knowing that his marriage with Paz drew disapproval at first due to the
differences in social status and races. If this is true, this art expressed transcending social barriers and
overcoming colonial limitations, which reflects what we, Filipinos were fighting for before and even now.
Now, I understand why art and philosophy is very important to us as a Filipino. It connect us to our
history; it is an integral part of our culture and identity, it is a testament of our values, beliefs, hope and
aspirations, it tells our story. And lastly, philosophy and the arts are essential in finding the heart that
made us who we are today. It is a reminder of our national consciousness.