Abstract: | This article critically examines current ways of justifying a place for the arts in general education and develops an alternative position. First, justifications relying on the positive non-artistic outcomes of art education are represented and problems exposed. Next, I discuss and criticise the position of John White, who takes the arts to promote self-knowledge, ethical contemplation and social cohesion. Then I develop a new account of artistic value based on the concept of fulfilment. |