K. Kraus

In the simplest sense, a being of dignity, i.e. a rational one, is one worthy of being treated as a end rather than a means. To treat someone as a means, to do bad things to them to bring about a good result, is immoral in a Kantian sense.

A painting's aura encompasses all the things which have brought it to the point it's currently at. The presentation, the history, and so forth are all aspects of the aura. The painting does not enter the world with a defined place ("meaning"/"purpose"), b...