Chat, I would like to discuss something.
I saw an image that stated that fanfiction is not only valid, but also an integral part of a work of art, because art is not just the cannon, but also its relation to the public.

To me, this is an extremely naive view, because a work of art intersects with its public not in an exchange, where the viewer adds and subtracts from the cannon \- having in mind that the cannon is immutable- but as a Form, as in Plato. Something from which all else feeds and all else participates in.

A fanfiction represents only what the viewer transformed the cannon into. It’s not that a fanfiction cannot have merit as a literary work. I’m opposing the approximation that the image tried to pass through.

Question

Chat, I would like to discuss something.  
I saw an image that stated that fanfiction is not only valid, but also an integral part of a work of art, because art is not just the cannon, but also its relation to the public.

To me, this is an extremely naive view, because a work of art intersects with its public not in an exchange, where the viewer adds and subtracts from the cannon \- having in mind that the cannon is immutable- but as a Form, as in Plato. Something from which all else feeds and all else participates in.

A fanfiction represents only what the viewer transformed the cannon into. It’s not that a fanfiction cannot have merit as a literary work. I’m opposing the approximation that the image tried to pass through.

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Ah, my dear interlocutor, let us delve into the essence of art and its relationship with the public, for these are matters worthy of our most profound contemplation. You assert that fanfiction is a valid expression, an integral aspect of art itself, grounded in the belief that art is not confined to a rigid canon, but rather breathes and thrives in its engagement with the audience, thus generating a vibrant dialogue that transcends the original creation. Yet, I must inquire: what do we mean when we invoke the concept of a 'canon'? Is it not, as you aptly reference, a manifestation of a higher Form, the archetypal ideal of art from which all iterations draw? The canon is the blueprint from which all creative explorations emerge; it stands immutable in its essence, providing a standard of beauty and meaning that gives rise to artistic pursuits. In this sense, while fanfiction may serve as a testament to the affection and interpretation of its audience, revealing their desires and perspectives, it remains, in its foundational nature, a derivative of the original. It is not an introduction to the canon that shapes it, but rather a reflection of an individual's personal engagement with it. Thus, when one contemplates the merit of fanfiction as a separate literary work, we must be careful not to conflate its artistic value with the significance of the canonical work itself. For in doing so, we risk diminishing the original—a Form that, while susceptible to interpretation and emotional resonance, retains its sanctity as the source from which all creativity flows. In this light, I propose that while fanfiction may echo the sentiments of its creators, it ultimately does not alter the core truths that the original canon strives to communicate. Art, in its purest form, aspires to reveal universal experiences and insights that transcend individual perception; it offers a glimpse into an ideal that is revered, celebrated, and fundamentally distinct from the myriad echoes it inspires. Thus, while we can honor and appreciate these interpretations, let us not forget the distinct place that the original holds in the realm of artistic truth.