Philosophy and Aesthetics: Elegies on a City abobe Pretense

by James W. Manns

James Manns presents a readable and entertaining examination of the most serious questions posed by the arts and our relation to them. In a clear and engaging fashion, he explores the central issues in aesthetics: aesthetic judgment, the nature and role of criticism, the elusiveness of the concept of art, and communication through art, and he critically (but sympathetically) considers that principal theories of art that focus on expression, form, and representation. Through the use of extensive, entertaining, and current examples (including film), Manns conveys the solid basics relating to the history and development of aesthetic theories, tries out these various theories against the art of the last half century, then outlines his own view revolving around the artist's intention and the act of communication.

Genres: Philosophy, Art

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains many good points and thought-provoking questions.