No. But art is inherently evaluative. It exhibits attitudes, tastes, beliefs, likes, dislikes, hopes, and fears. Moreover, it tends to influence people, to inform and sometimes shape the attitudes and beliefs of those who encounter it. For these reasons, art is of political interest in the sense that the question of whether and how it should be regulated is a legitimate political issue.

One of the first to insist on this was Socrates, in Plato’s Republic. The stories told to children, he pointed out, have a significant influence on their character development. It would be foolish to allow them to hear just any stories. Rather, we should make certain that children’s stories contain good role models, and that they’re not over-stimulating.

Of course, Socrates went too far when he then proposed a paternalistic society in which philosopher-kings determine the “noble lies” that adults as well as children would be led to believe. But the basic point is well-taken.