The correlation between art and ethics in the context of Kantian aesthetics and the basis of conceptual art

The aim of this thesis is to study the ethical stand behind the art's achieving autonomy from ethics. This stand expects the same from the people it addresses. When we think about the basis of the correlation between art and ethics which is behind the "art as an idea" works that mark the last two centuries, we encountered Kant's "Beauty as the symbol of morality" (Das Schöne ist das Symbol des Sittlich-Guten) concept. Within this context, it was important to find out what "good" and "beauty" meant in Kant's philosophy. Considering its effect on the present, "sublime" is also covered. Samples of artworks and art theories are presented in order to reveal the reflection of the correlation between art and ethics on the basis of contemporary art. This study proceeded from Manet to Duchamp. Following Kant's path, to understand conceptual art which is transformed into anti-retinal thought practice, the necessity of answering the question "Why Kant?" emerged. This study started from Kant and reached to Kant as the final arrival point. Key Words: Kant, Freedom, Good, Beautiful, Sublime, "Beauty as the symbol of morality", Conceptual Art, Manet, Duchamp.