For all the merits and strengths Intellectual Ideas have as an asset and source for

Human Wealth, they alone would probably not be enough to capture and represent in its entirety the richness and depth of Human Life.

As Wittgenstein has remarked:  “a proposition cannot express anything which is higher.” There is a limit to what can be said by languages and there are things which just cannot be said – or said in its full and complete sense – through intellectual ideas.

More importantly, the very nature of language and thoughts should suggest that they should be understood more as the medium through which we seek to grasp the deeper and more complex underlying reality. As remarked by Schopeneur, “Thoughts, reduced to papers, generally represent nothing more than footprints of a man walking in the sand. It is true that you can see the path he has taken; but to know what he sees along the way, you have to use your own eyes.”

And herein lies where art and aesthetics can complement and supplement, in or view.

Meanwhile, we believe that literary and artistic works of human beings are not something that are separated from the lives of the artists. Rather, their lives often provide important and illuminating context for us to understand his/ her works. Hence, in this section, other than the art and aesthetics work themselves, we shall seek also to highlight the journey of life of the artists/ thinkers in concern which we believe would often provide an essential and illuminating contexts for us to understand and appreciate his/ her works.

And importantly, arts and aesthetics also can often give us considerable insights into the societies and civilisations where the artists are living in, as well as the possible directions of their improvement and enrichment.  “If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical of our society,”  remarked John F. Kennedy, “it is because their sensitivity and concern for justice, which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our Nation falls short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization, than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”

As such, art and artists do have some very important and unique roles to play indeed in the healthy development of societies and civilisations.  “When power leads men towards arrogance”, remarked John. F Kennedy “ poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. For art establishes the basic human truth which must serve as the touchstone of our judgement. The artist, however, faithful to his personal vision of reality, becomes the last champion of the individual mind and sensibility against an intrusive society and an officious state.”

“The great artist, “ according to John F. Kennedy “ is thus a solitary figure. He has, as Frost said, a lover’s quarrel with the world. In pursuing his perceptions of reality, he must often sail against the currents of his time.”  And in doing so, remarked John F. Kennedy,  “in serving his vision of the truth, the artist best serves his nation.. “

Herein lies some of the main reasons why we see art and aesthetics as the second main pillar of our endeavours.