Aesthetics Philosophy

Aristotle's Poetics is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and the first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls "poetry" (a term which in Greek literally means "making" and in this context includes drama—comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play—as well as lyric poetry, epic poetry, and the dithyramb). He examines its "first principles" and identifies its genres and basic elements. His analysis of tragedy constitutes the core of the discussion.

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Bence Nanay introduces the field of aesthetics, considering both Western and non-Western aesthetic traditions and exploring why it is sometimes misunderstood or considered to be too elitist - by artists, musicians, and even philosophers. As Nanay shows, so-called "high art" has no more claims on aesthetics than sitcoms, tattoos, or punk rock.

What is art? Why do we find some things beautiful but not others? Is it wrong to share MP3s? These are just some of the questions explored by aesthetics, the philosophy of art. In this sweeping introduction, Charles Taliaferro skilfully guides us through different theories of art and beauty, tackling issues such as who owns art and what happens when art and morality collide.From Plato on poetry to Ringo Starr on the drums, this is a perfect introduction for anyone interested in the fascinating questions art can raise.

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, the renowned philosopher Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty, asking what makes an object - either in art, in nature, or the human form - beautiful and examining how we can compare differing judgments of beauty when it is evident all around us that our tastes vary so widely.

One of Nietzsche’s earliest works, The Birth of Tragedy (1872) is a remarkable source of inspiration. It is here that the philosopher expresses his frustration with the contemporary world and urges man to embrace Dionysian energy once more. He refutes European culture since the time of Socrates, arguing that it is one-sidedly Apollonian and prevents man from living in optimistic harmony with the sufferings of life.

Featuring an enlightening introduction by the book's translator, Michael T. H. Sadler, providing generational and cultural context for Kandinsky and his work, Concerning the Spiritual in Art gives testimony to the mind and creative expression of Kandinsky and other artists of his generation. This seminal and thought-provoking book exploring the heart of the artistic endeavor belongs in the library of every serious artist and student of modern art.

There is a cause, or a reason, behind everything that happens. This is the fundamental view behind the classical proposition the Principle of Sufficient Reason, which, in 1813, Schopenhauer chose as his subject for further examination in his doctoral dissertation On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason....

In this influential sequence of linked interviews, Ranciere explores the interplay of art and politics. The Politics of Aesthetics rethinks the relationship between art and politics, reclaiming "aesthetics" from the narrow confines it is often reduced to. Jacques Rancière reveals its intrinsic link to politics by analysing what they both have in common: the delimitation of the visible and the invisible, the audible and the inaudible, the thinkable and the unthinkable, the possible and the impossible.

A compelling argument for the necessity for art in life, Nietzsche's first book is fuelled by his enthusiasms for Greek tragedy, for the philosophy of Schopenhauer and for the music of Wagner, to whom this work was dedicated. Nietzsche outlined a distinction between its two central forces: the Apolline, representing beauty and order, and the Dionysiac, a primal or ecstatic reaction to the sublime. He believed the combination of these states produced the highest forms of music and tragic drama, which not only reveal the truth about suffering in life, but also provide a consolation for it.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enduring power of Epictetus’ Stoic philosophy, brought to life by the strong, masculine voice of a rugged outdoors philosopher, also known as "the rucking philosopher." This audiobook isn’t just a recitation—it’s a bold journey into the timeless lessons of resilience, inner strength, and true freedom.

Desde o garbo e a elegância nos primeiros anos da República até a atual banalização das cirurgias plásticas, História da beleza no Brasil trata das transformações ligadas aos padrões estéticos e aos cuidados com o corpo, mas também do martírio causado pela feiura e da tumultuada luta para driblar o envelhecimento, a solidão e o fracasso.

The Art of Rhetoric, a guide on the principles behind oratorical skill, is a core text on the art of persuasion. Aristotle contends that rhetoric is one of the key elements of philosophy – along with logic and dialectic. The work consists of three books: the first is a general overview, the second concerns the means of persuasion that an orator must deploy, and the third discusses elements of style and arrangement.

Tutte le culture hanno un'idea del bello e dell'arte, ma non tutte la elaborano in forma teorica consapevole ed esplicita. Il Medioevo - dopo secoli in cui è stato trattato solo come periodo buio e barbaro - è stato riscoperto come un'epoca ricca di riflessioni sulla bellezza, sul piacere estetico, sul gusto, sul bello naturale e artistico, sui rapporti tra l'arte e le altre attività umane.

Counsels and Maxims is a classic work by noted German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. His work has influenced some of the modern world's greatest thinkers, including Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Erwin Schrödinger. This piece was originally translated by Thomas Bailey Saunders.

Le dernier opus de "Cosmos" explore les arts, la poésie et la musique : ces créations humaines qui s'allient à la nature pour permettre à chacun d'expérimenter le sublime. Des origines préhistoriques à la prédominance chrétienne, de l'art bourgeois de la Renaissance jusqu'aux créations contemporaines, Michel Onfray ébauche une contre-histoire des arts, citant Mallarmé, André Breton, Tristan Tzara, Marcel Duchamp, Bachelard, Georges Rouquier ou Pierre Soulages. L'art change de paradigme, et si la notion cardinale du beau disparaît, elle laisse la place au sublime, ce sentiment d'étonnement radical et subjugué qui peut réunir en un instant l'homme et le cosmos.

Le dernier opus de "Cosmos" explore les arts, la poésie et la musique : ces créations humaines qui s'allient à la nature pour permettre à chacun d'expérimenter le sublime. Des origines préhistoriques à la prédominance chrétienne, de l'art bourgeois de la Renaissance jusqu'aux créations contemporaines, Michel Onfray ébauche une contre-histoire des arts, citant Mallarmé, André Breton, Tristan Tzara, Marcel Duchamp, Bachelard, Georges Rouquier ou Pierre Soulages. L'art change de paradigme, et si la notion cardinale du beau disparaît, elle laisse la place au sublime, ce sentiment d'étonnement radical et subjugué qui peut réunir en un instant l'homme et le cosmos.

Immanuel Kant, seiner Zeit voraus und besonders spannend im Kontext aktueller Geschlechter- und Rassismusdiskussionen zu lesen, positioniert sich in der Rolle des Beobachters und beschreibt seine Erfahrungen gegenüber dem Gefühl des Schönen und Erhabenen - in vier verschiedenen Kontexten.

Más que de estética, en el sentido estricto de la palabra, este tratado explora asuntos diversos como la moral, la psicología, la descripción de los caracteres individuales y nacionales. Temas que pueden ocurrirse alrededor del asunto principal. Es una obra sencilla, llena de ingenio y alegría. Kant, ataca por primera vez el problema estético, y aunque sus ideas fundamentales acerca del arte y la belleza se hallan sistemáticamente expuestas en su obra posterior, la "Crítica del Juicio", tienen aquí cierto interés para el conocimiento de los orígenes de la estética Kantiana.

Arthur Schopenhauer's The Art of Literature is a lively, illuminating and brutally honest collection of essays on literary style and values, writers and critics, and the nature of genius. Schopenhauer advises seclusion and independent thought, criticizes Pliny's reading habits, and explains the pitfalls of certain schools of thought and even virtues like modesty. His thought-provoking arguments, caustic wit, and accessible style make this a must for any aspiring writer.

Edgar Allan Poe’s essay, "The Philosophy of Composition", sets forth a theory on good writing. It first appeared in the April 1846 issue of Graham's Magazine, and Poe illustrates his theory on the composition of his poem, "The Raven". The three main elements of his philosophy of composition are length, logical method, and "unity of effect". Poe believed that literary works should be short, claimed that writing is methodical, not spontaneous, and asserted that a work of fiction ought to be written only after the author has decided on the conclusion.