Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: An Introduction

by Robert Stecker

Overview

Praised in its original edition for its up-to-date, rigorous presentation of current debates and for the clarity of its presentation, Robert Stecker's new edition of Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art preserves the major themes and conclusions of the original, while expanding its content, providing new features, and enhancing accessibility. Stecker introduces students to the history and evolution of aesthetics, and also makes an important distinction between aesthetics and philosophy of art. While aesthetics is the study of value, philosophy of art deals with a much wider array of questions including issues in metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of mind, as well value theory. Described as a "remarkably unified introduction to many contemporary debates in aesthetics and the philosophy of art," Stecker specializes in sympathetically laying bear the play of argument that emerges as competing views on a topic engage each other. This book does not simply present a controversy in its current state of play, but instead demonstrates a philosophical mind at work helping to advance the issue toward a solution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742564107
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/16/2010
Series:	Elements of Philosophy
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Robert Stecker is professor of philosophy at Central Michigan University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Preface to Second Edition Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Part I: Aesthetics Chapter 5 Environmental Aesthetics: Natural Beauty Chapter 6 Conceptions of the Aesthetic: Aesthetic Experience Chapter 7 Conceptions of the Aesthetic: Aesthetic Properties Chapter 8 Part II: Philosophy of Art Chapter 9 What is Art? Chapter 10 What Kind of Object is a Work of Art? Chapter 11 Interpretation and the Problem of the Relevant Intention Chapter 12 Representation: Fiction Chapter 13 Representation: Depiction Chapter 14 Expressiveness in Music and Poetry Chapter 15 Artistic Value Chapter 16 Interaction: Ethical, Aesthetic and Artistic Value Chapter 17 The Value of Architecture Chapter 18 Conclusion Chapter 19 References Chapter 20 Index

Editorial Reviews

Robert Stecker's excellent book was already the best high-level introduction to philosophical aesthetics in the analytic tradition. It has retained this distinction in its second edition, while becoming both more accessible and more wide-ranging, and is appropriate for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Jerry Levinson

Professor Stecker gives his readers the elements of aesthetics from an advanced standpoint. His coverage of the core topics in the field is admirably clear and accessible, but more importantly, it is incisive and at the cutting-edge of current debates.

Paisley Livingston

Robert Stecker's excellent book was already the best high-level introduction to philosophical aesthetics in the analytic tradition. It has retained this distinction in its second edition, while becoming both more accessible and more wide-ranging, and is appropriate for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses.--Jerry Levinson, University of Maryland

Professor Stecker gives his readers the elements of aesthetics from an advanced standpoint. His coverage of the core topics in the field is admirably clear and accessible, but more importantly, it is incisive and at the cutting-edge of current debates.--Paisley Livingston, Lingnan University

From the Publisher

A well-documented discussion of philosophy of art that can serve well as a textbook on the subject for American readers.

CHOICE

This book is a thorough and remarkably unified introduction to many contemporary debates in aesthetics and the philosophy of art, which Stecker sees as 'two distinct though overlapping fields'...A pleasure to read and a paradigmatic introduction to the subject — a highly recommended resource for students and teachers alike.

British Journal of Aesthetics - Russell DiSilvestro

In this welcome new introduction, Robert Stecker presents and debates some of the most engaging and intractable issues in contemporary aesthetics with his characteristic clarity, good sense, and thoroughness.

Peter Lamarque

A well-documented discussion of philosophy of art that can serve well as a textbook on the subject for American readers.

Choice