Description
Aesthetic and moral value are often seen to go hand in hand. They do so not only practically, such as in our everyday assessments of artworks that raise moral questions, but also theoretically, such as in Kant’s theory that beauty is the symbol of morality. Some philosophers have argued that it is in the relation between aesthetic and moral value that the key to an adequate understanding of either notion lies. But difficult questions abound. Must a work of art be morally admirable in order to be aesthetically valuable? How, if at all, do our moral values shape our aesthetic judgements – and vice versa?
Aesthetics and Morality is a stimulating and insightful inquiry into precisely this set of questions. Elisabeth Schellekens explores the main ideas and debates at the intersection of aesthetics and moral philosophy. She invites readers to reflect on the nature of beauty, art and morality, and provides the philosophical knowledge to render such reflection more rigorous. This original, inspiring and entertaining book sheds valuable new light on a notably complex and challenging area of thought.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: The Limits of the Aesthetic
Chapter 1: Disentangling the Aesthetic
Chapter 2: The Values of Art
Part II: Art and Moral Value
Chapter 3: Art as a Source of Understanding
Chapter 4: Moral Convictions and Artistic Appreciation
Chapter 5: Good Art and Moral Purpose
Part III: Beauty and Moral Goodness
Chapter 6: Kant's Theory of Beauty, Moral Goodness and Freedom
Chapter 7: Sensibility to Value
Chapter 8: Beauty and Virtue of the Soul
Bibliography
Author(s)
Elisabeth Schellekens, Elisabeth Schellekens is Lecturer in Philosophy at Durham University, UK.