Andrew Orozco

Professor Kelby Harrison

Philosophy 25
26 April 2015
The Spatula
The spatula, a small tool used during or after cooking, is an object that I have
physically encountered that is not normally considered art. The spatula is used to stir
items of interest or to flip varieties of food. Usually being flexible, flat, and wide, it is
one of the most versatile kitchen tools that have been used for years to come (Merano).
Typically made of metal and wood, spatulas also come in different materials based on
uses, such as plastic, silicone, and rubber. As a cooking utensil, these are items you see in
an everyday setting. Through aesthetic reasoning, however, we will observe on how
everyday items can be considered objects of aesthetic value.
Normally, you would not consider a spatula an object of art or aesthetic value,
because of the fact that its purpose of the mere object is simply to flip items or stir
materials. Like other utensils, it was created to meet the needs of the cook or cooker, and
so the man-made object is not considered of aesthetic value. If we go by the definition of
art, we can say that art is something that is created with imagination and skill, that is
beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings (Art). Can we think that a spatula
was created with imagination and skill? Probably not. We can also assume that the
spatula was also not created to express important ideas or feelings, at least in the concrete
sort of way. I dont really see a spatula an object of art, but maybe somebody else does.
This is because of the principles aesthetics. This would provide an argument of why the
spatula can be considered an object of aesthetic value.
One of the main principles of aesthetic reasoning is that objects are aesthetically
valuable if they express the values of the cultures they arise, or in the artists who make
them. With one of the main principles of aesthetics and reasoning, we can provide an
argument of why a spatula is considered an object of aesthetic value. Moving through the
functionalist approach, as opposed to the formalist, we are observing objects that serve a
function, to an audience. In other words, they have the capacity to fulfill a function

(Moore and Parker 406). Sure the spatula is an everyday object, but maybe the artist uses
the spatula creatively to express the cuisines they tend to make (Aesthetic Principle #2).
What if someone from another country likes their spatula a different style, and they like
to keep that style in order to express their culture and history? Through this, we meet the
aesthetic principle number two that if an object expresses the values of a culture, it can be
seen as an object of aesthetic value (Moore and Parker 405). This also meets with the
functionalist approach, because it fulfills their cultures function, of their values and
beliefs, so the spatula can be seen as an object of art through their culture.
Another principle of aesthetics that can be applied to the spatula would be aesthetic
principle number four, according to Moore and Parker in their book Critical Thinking.
Though it is probably one of the hardest to explain, we will follow with principle number
four, that objects are aesthetically valuable if they give their audience pleasure. In order
to use this principle correctly, we will define pleasure within the context of aesthetic
reasoning. Pleasure is a pleasant or pleasant feeling, or, an activity that is done for
enjoyment (Pleasure). With this definition, we cant simply assume that the mere object
of a spatula causes pleasure. However, when we look at our audience, maybe the use of a
spatula, used creatively, can cause pleasure to the individual in terms of the way the
person likes and enjoys cooking. When we look at it that way, we can see that the spatula
is an object of aesthetic value when the person uses it to their amusement. For instance,
many consider cooking an art, and a spatula is a way of representing their profession ( or
even passion), and so it fulfills their need ; it fulfills happiness, through an everyday
ordinary object, through cooking and use of the spatula.
The spatula meets and fulfills the function of an individual, whether through their
culture, or their passion, so the ordinary object can be seen as aesthetically valuable. The
spatula meets the functionalist approach of aesthetics, because it serves to fulfill a
function, whether through society, their culture, or an effect that it has on an audience.
This differs from the formalism approach, where aesthetics is reasoned through its
inherent value, (often identified as, beauty). Its important to note, however, that the
spatula meets the functionalist approach, because it has an audience that it adheres to.
In conclusion, the spatula provides the opportunity to meet the functions of
aesthetic reasoning, and so the object can be seen as an object of aesthetic value. Through

principles of aesthetics, aesthetic principles support artistic creation, and so it important

to know that , aesthetics reasoning, just like any other reasoning, is important in our
everyday world.

Works Cited
Art." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 8 October 2014. Web.
Merano, Vanjo. "What Is a Spatula?" Panlasang Pinoy. N.p., n.d. 27 Apr. 2015. Web.
Moore, Brooke Noel., and Richard Parker. Critical Thinking. Boston: McGraw Hill,
2007. 340. Print.
Pleasure." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 8 October 2014. Web.

In what ways can objects of utility be considered art.

Describe the object

Why wouldnt I consider it art or aesthetically valuable
1-2 paragraphs

what is art

pre concived notions of art

aesthetic reasoning

functionalist or formalist

(Moore, and Parker 342).