Pragmatist Aesthetics: Living Beauty, Rethinking Art - Hardcover

Shusterman, Richard

3.85

55 ratings by Goodreads

9780847697649: Pragmatist Aesthetics: Living Beauty, Rethinking Art

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0847697649 ISBN 13: 9780847697649

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000

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This much acclaimed book has emerged as neo-pragmatism's most significant contribution to contemporary aesthetics. By articulating a deeply embodied notion of aesthetic experience and the art of living, and by providing a compellingly rigorous defense of popular art-crowned by a pioneer study of hip hop-Richard Shusterman reorients aesthetics towards a fresher, more relevant , and socially progressive agenda. The second edition contains an introduction where Shusterman responds to his critics, and it concludes with an added chapter that formulates his novel notion of somaesthetics.

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Review:

Through a generous and inspired reinterpretation of John Dewey, Richard Shusterman establishes a theory of aesthetics that is liberated from the traditional dualisms and capable of reconciling art and the political.--Pierre Bourdieu, College de France

Shusterman...has written a spirited, generous, powerful, and stylish essay in which the acuity of analytical philosophy is cross-bred to the vision of continental theory to produce a work that no one interested in the philosophy of art--or philosophy of life--can afford to ignore. It is clear, eloquent, fair, and urgent.--Arthur C. Danto, art critic; Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Columbia University

A deeply satisfying work. Shusterman's knowledge of aesthetic theory, and in particular, current trends in what constitutes art, seems unparalleled. Inasmuch as he pushes the envelope of what hitherto has consisted of pragmatists aesthetics, Shusterman deserves to be called an original thinker.--Journal of Aesthetic Education

A challenging, deeply intelligent book.--Substance

The renovated, more everyday conception of aesthetic experience that he [Shusterman] champions inPragmatist Aesthetis is deeply embodied, occasionally political, and oriented around the practical art of living.--Studies in Philosophy and Education

The first edition was a fine book. The additional chapter in this second edition expands the account of the aesthetic way of life. Shusterman's defense of popular culture as art is convincing, thorough, and welcome.--Contemporary Pragmatism

From the Back Cover:

Pragmatism is experiencing a powerful revival. But the new pragmatism has not yet expressed itself in a new aesthetic, and not since Dewey′s Art as Experience (1934) has there been a comprehensive pragmatist treatment of this field. Shusterman′s bold and lively book fills the gap by proposing a pragmatist aesthetics for our current postmodern condition.

Pragmatist Aesthetics treats the traditionally central topics of aesthetics: the definition of art, aesthetic experience and value, form and unity, interpretation, and the cognitive and moral worth of art. But it also directs philosophical aesthetics towards a much wider and more socially pertinent agenda by considering such contemporary issues as the institutionalization and cultural oppression of art, the aesthetic legitimacy of popular culture, and the ethical art of living beauty through the stylization of conduct and the aesthetic construction of the self. Gracefully but vigorously argued, Pragmatist Aesthetics is an important book which breaks new ground and liberates new areas and directions for philosophical inquiry. Its wide–ranging breadth and accessible style will appeal to all readers with an interest in contemporary philosophy, aesthetics and cultural studies.

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