What is the value of art?

Does art have any intrinsic value? Does value of art go beyond mere entertainment? If so, what else gives art value? Is some art actually better than other art, or is the quality of a work of art just a matter of personal taste? How important is art to a well-lived life or a good society? Should the government support the arts or should artists be expected to compete for support in the free market? What are the pros and cons of each alternative means of financial support? What role should the arts play in education?

To get the discussion started, Dr. Sharon Ryan, WVU Philosophy Department Chairperson and Creator of THE QUESTION interviewed:
Michael Blumenthal – WVU Visiting John T. Copenhaver, Jr. Chair of Law and Writer
Keith Jackson – WVU Professor and Chair of Music
John Lambertson – Washington and Jefferson Professor of Art History and Chair of the Art Department
Elijah Pollard – Elijah Pollard, WVU Humanities Instructor.

Please share your own thoughts in the blog.