Intended Art

In class yesterday we discussed the importance of "Intended Art".
In the conversation the blank canvas example from the introduction to "Nature of Art" and John Cage's 4:33 (a silent piece of music) were both brought up. Many people experiencing the pieces for the first time would not defend either of the pieces as works of art because anyone could create those pieces with minimal effort. However, because an artist put the thought into creating such a piece and intended it to be art, it is art. Perhaps a blank canvas is not visual art, or a silent song is not music, but rather both pieces can be considered a form of performance art.
To me the canvas would represent the beginnings of the creative process for an artist. A piece of pure, blank and inspiring white canvas.
4:33 is quite theatrical. The conductor moves slightly, but the entire orchestra remains motionless. The entire piece continues on this way until the end of four minutes and thirty three seconds.
No matter how simple or complex the art is, it will always be art because of the intentions of the artist who created the pieces.
Can something found in nature be considered art if picked up by a human and called art?

A Definition for Philosophy

For my first blog I decided to ask friends and classmates what their personal definition of philosophy is since I have had a difficult time coming up with a definition myself.

Q: What is your personal definition of philosophy?

A1: "The art of inquiry."

A2: "I do not think it can be defined."

A3: "A belief in which one can identify with according to their own code of ethics."

A4: "A set of personal beliefs that do not involve an omniscient maker."

A5: "A specific form of beliefs or principles."

A6: "The attempt to understand the workings of the world and why we are here."

A7: "The art of searching for knowledge about how to live life to the fullest."

A8: "What isn’t philosophy?"

A9: "Thought and search for basic definition."

A10: "The rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge and ethics." (An internet definition I found which I agree with).

As a result of asking several people how they would personally define philosophy I have been able to come up with my own conclusion. Philosophy cannot be defined in one way. Every educated individual has their own definition; the definitions may be similar in idea, but different for everyone has a different opinion. With this being said, how should we go about studying philosophy if the word itself cannot be given a solid definition?