Synopses & Reviews
With the sustained, coherent perspective of an authored text and the diverse, authoritative views typical of an anthology,Philosophy of Art: Aesthetic Theory and Practice by David Boersema provides the context and commentary students need to comprehend the various issues in philosophy of art. Throughout the book, issues are examined using the lenses of the three broad areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, and value theory. That is, concerns are raised about what is expressed, how it is expressed, and why it is expressed. Chapters on the artist, the audience, and the artwork further break down the discipline and are applied to the final chapters on the specific types of art. The differences between art and science as well as the relationship of art and society provide a refreshing discussion of overlooked areas in philosophy of art.
Review
"
Philosophy of Art is an accessible and well-organized text. The integration of primary source materials into the writing allows students to engage with challenging thinking without sacrificing the clarifying narrative. I find the hybrid format very appealing."
—Kelly A. Parker, Grand Valley State University
"Combining the virtues of an anthology and a monograph, Boersemas book skillfully weaves together a collection of important essays in contemporary philosophy of art with astute and thought-provoking commentary. Boersema offers a comprehensive examination of a broad range of issues that is truly accessible to non-specialists. Philosophy of Art: Aesthetic Theory and Practice will be an invaluable tool for readers new to the philosophy of art."
—Christopher Bartel, Appalachian State University
"Boersema provides teachers of aesthetics with a thoughtful blend of [primary readings and secondary texts]. The readings for each chapter are well chosen and the author writes in very readable prose. Everything fits together nicely, and the student receives a careful walk-through of each essay before it appears. Highly Recommended."
—Choice
Synopsis
A single-authored text incorporating short excerpts from primary sources on philosophical considerations of art and its application to the specific arts
Synopsis
This book addresses issues in the philosophy of art through the lenses of the three broad areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. It surveys many important and pervasive topics connected to a philosophical understanding of art.
About the Author
David Boersema is the Douglas C. Strain Professor of Natural Philosophy and Distinguished University Professor at Pacific University in Oregon. He is the author of
Philosophy of Human Rights: Theory and Practice (Westview Press),
Pragmatism and Reference,and
Philosophy of Science, and coeditor of
Spiritual and Political Dimensions on Nonviolence and Peace.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to the Philosophy of Art What Is Philosophy?
Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics
Preview of Upcoming Chapters
CHAPTER 2: The Nature of Art
Defining Art
Antiessentialism
Morris Weitz, The Role of Theory in Aesthetics”
Redefining Art
Jerrold Levinson, Defining Art Historically”
Art and Experience
John Dewey, selections from Art as Experience
CHAPTER 3: The Artwork
The Uniqueness of Art
Joseph Margolis, The Ontological Peculiarity of Works of Art”
Artworks and Aesthetics
Frank Sibley, Aesthetic Concepts”
Form versus Content or Context
Clive Bell, Art and Significant Form”
CHAPTER 4: The Artist
Intention
Representation
E. H. Gombrich, Truth and the Stereotype”
Expression
R. G. Collingwood, selections from Principles of Art
Change
Anne Bogart, introduction to And Then, You Act
CHAPTER 5: The Audience
David E. W. Fenner, Aesthetic Experience and Aesthetic Analysis”
Aesthetic Interpretation
Richard Wollheim, Criticism as Retrieval”
Aesthetic Criticism
Monroe C. Beardsley, The Classification of Critical Reasons”
CHAPTER 6: Relationships Between Art and Society: Ethics, Education, Culture
Art and Values
Berys Gaut, The Ethical Criticism of Art”
Aesthetics (and) Education
Maxine Greene, The Artistic-Aesthetic Curriculum”
Aesthetics and Culture
Clifford Geertz, Art as a Cultural System”
CHAPTER 7: Relationships Between Art and Science: Method, Understanding, Knowledge
Relations of Art and Science
Howard Gardner, selections from The Arts and Human Development
Art, Science, and Understanding
Nelson Goodman, Art and the Understanding”
Art and Knowledge
John W. Bender, Art as a Source of Knowledge”
CHAPTER 8: Performing Arts
Dance
Francis Sparshott, The Identity of a Dance”
Theater
David Z. Saltz, How to Do Things on Stage”
Music
Peter Kivy, The Other Authenticity”
CHAPTER 9: Visual Arts
Painting
Clement Greenberg, Modernist Painting”
Photography
Kendall L. Walton, Transparent Pictures”
Architecture
Roger Scruton, The Problem of Architecture”
CHAPTER 10: Literary Arts
Fiction
Christopher New, Fiction”
Poetry
Harvey Gross, Prosody as Rhythmic Cognition”
Creative Nonfiction
Robert L. Root Jr. and Michael Steinberg, Creative Nonfiction, the Fourth Genre”