The Aesthetics of Mimesis: Ancient Texts and Modern Problems

by Stephen Halliwell

Overview

Mimesis is one of the oldest, most fundamental concepts in Western aesthetics. This book offers a new, searching treatment of its long history at the center of theories of representational art: above all, in the highly influential writings of Plato and Aristotle, but also in later Greco-Roman philosophy and criticism, and subsequently in many areas of aesthetic controversy from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. Combining classical scholarship, philosophical analysis, and the history of ideas—and ranging across discussion of poetry, painting, and music—Stephen Halliwell shows with a wealth of detail how mimesis, at all stages of its evolution, has been a more complex, variable concept than its conventional translation of "imitation" can now convey.


Far from providing a static model of artistic representation, mimesis has generated many different models of art, encompassing a spectrum of positions from realism to idealism. Under the influence of Platonist and Aristotelian paradigms, mimesis has been a crux of debate between proponents of what Halliwell calls "world-reflecting" and "world-simulating" theories of representation in both the visual and musico-poetic arts. This debate is about not only the fraught relationship between art and reality but also the psychology and ethics of how we experience and are affected by mimetic art.


Moving expertly between ancient and modern traditions, Halliwell contends that the history of mimesis hinges on problems that continue to be of urgent concern for contemporary aesthetics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691092584
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	07/21/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stephen Halliwell is Professor of Greek at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. His books include Aristotle's Poetics, the new Loeb translation of the Poetics, Plato: Republic 10, Plato: Republic 5, and Aristophanes: Birds and Other Plays.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xi

Note to the Reader xiii

INTRODUCTION: Mimesis and the History of Aesthetics 1

PART I

CHAPTER ONE

Representation and Reality: Plato and Mimesis 37

CHAPTER TWO

Romantic Puritanism: Plato and the Psychology of Mimesis 72

CHAPTER THREE

Mimesis and the Best Life: Plato's Repudiation of the Tragic 98

CHAPTER FOUR

More Than Meets the Eye: Looking into Plato's Mirror 118

PART II

CHAPTER FIVE

Inside and Outside the Work of Art: Aristotelian Mimesis Reevaluated 151

CHAPTER SIX

The Rewards of Mimesis: Pleasure, Understanding, and Emotion in Aristotle's Aesthetics 177

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tragic Pity: Aristotle and Beyond 207

CHAPTER EIGHT

Music and the Limits of Mimesis: Aristotle versus Philodemus 234

PART III

CHAPTER NINE

Truth or Delusion? The Mimeticist Legacy in Hellenistic Philosophy 263

CHAPTER TEN

Images of Life: Mimesis and Literary Criticism after Aristotle 287

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Renewal and Transformation: Neoplatonism and Mimesis 313

CHAPTER TWELVE

An Inheritance Contested: Renaissance to Modernity 344

Bibliography 383

Index 419

What People are Saying About This

Paul Woodruff

We have not seen a comprehensive study of the classical concepts of mimesis, nor has anyone shown the place of mimesis in the history of aesthetics, nor has anyone argued generally for the usefulness of the concept to contemporary theory. Art and philosophy in the twentieth century were hostile to the idea that art is mimesis, and ancient Greek theories have seemed quaint to modern eyes. Halliwell may, through this book, be on the cutting edge of a revolution in thinking.
— Paul Woodruff, University of Texas, Austin

From the Publisher

"With wide-ranging erudition, bold philosophical insight, and a vibrant aesthetic sensibility, Stephen Halliwell demonstrates that the ancient Greek tradition of arguing about mimesis is not the crude and single-minded defense of literal copying that many have seen in it. It is, rather, a highly complex tradition of debate and contestation, in which questions of foundational importance about artistic meaning are repeatedly confronted. Moving with graceful assurance from Plato and Aristotle to contemporary reworkings of the tradition by Brecht and Adorno, Barthes and Derrida, Halliwell shows us the depth and fertility of classical arguments. A stunning achievement, which will define the subject for many generations."—Martha C. Nussbaum, The University of Chicago

"Halliwell addresses central topics in the history of aesthetics with continuing echoes in current debates. The scholarship is impeccable, the writing is clear, the histories are illuminating, the theoretical views are intriguing, and the scope is most impressive. I do not know of any comparable book that succeeds at combining scholarship with history and original thought."—Cynthia Freeland, University of Houston

"We have not seen a comprehensive study of the classical concepts of mimesis, nor has anyone shown the place of mimesis in the history of aesthetics, nor has anyone argued generally for the usefulness of the concept to contemporary theory. Art and philosophy in the twentieth century were hostile to the idea that art is mimesis, and ancient Greek theories have seemed quaint to modern eyes. Halliwell may, through this book, be on the cutting edge of a revolution in thinking."—Paul Woodruff, University of Texas, Austin

Nussbaum

With wide-ranging erudition, bold philosophical insight, and a vibrant aesthetic sensibility, Stephen Halliwell demonstrates that the ancient Greek tradition of arguing about mimesis is not the crude and single-minded defense of literal copying that many have seen in it. It is, rather, a highly complex tradition of debate and contestation, in which questions of foundational importance about artistic meaning are repeatedly confronted. Moving with graceful assurance from Plato and Aristotle to contemporary reworkings of the tradition by Brecht and Adorno, Barthes and Derrida, Halliwell shows us the depth and fertility of classical arguments. A stunning achievement, which will define the subject for many generations.
— Martha C. Nussbaum, The University of Chicago

Cynthia Freeland

Halliwell addresses central topics in the history of aesthetics with continuing echoes in current debates. The scholarship is impeccable, the writing is clear, the histories are illuminating, the theoretical views are intriguing, and the scope is most impressive. I do not know of any comparable book that succeeds at combining scholarship with history and original thought.
— Cynthia Freeland, University of Houston

Introduction

Mimesis and the History of Aesthetics 1
PART I
CHAPTER ONE
Representation and Reality: Plato and Mimesis 37
CHAPTER TWO
Romantic Puritanism: Plato and the Psychology of Mimesis 72
CHAPTER THREE
Mimesis and the Best Life: Plato's Repudiation of the Tragic 98
CHAPTER FOUR
More Than Meets the Eye: Looking into Plato's Mirror 118
PART II
CHAPTER FIVE
Inside and Outside the Work of Art: Aristotelian Mimesis Reevaluated 151
CHAPTER SIX
The Rewards of Mimesis: Pleasure, Understanding, and Emotion in Aristotle's Aesthetics 177
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tragic Pity: Aristotle and Beyond 207
CHAPTER EIGHT
Music and the Limits of Mimesis: Aristotle versus Philodemus 234
PART III
CHAPTER NINE
Truth or Delusion?The Mimeticist Legacy in Hellenistic Philosophy 263
CHAPTER TEN
Images of Life: Mimesis and Literary Criticism after Aristotle 287
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Renewal and Transformation: Neoplatonism and Mimesis 313
CHAPTER TWELVE
An Inheritance Contested: Renaissance to Modernity 344
Bibliography 383
Index 419

Editorial Reviews

"Stephen Halliwell's formidable book . . . is scholarly, lucid, wide-ranging, discriminating. . . . An outstanding example of taking ideas seriously, and one that deserves a wide and intelligent readership."—-Michael Silk, Times Literary Supplement

"Halliwell has given the cognitivist position a highly nuanced, philosophically sophisticated version that will command the attention of scholars of classical and Western literary criticism."—-Andrew Ford, Bryn Mawr Classical Reviews

"A magisterial survey . . . immensely learned and meticulously argued. . . . [It] will be indispensable to any future discussion of art and representation in classical antiquity."—-David Konstan, The Philosophical Quarterly

From the Publisher

A magisterial survey . . . immensely learned and meticulously argued. . . . [It] will be indispensable to any future discussion of art and representation in classical antiquity.

The Philosophical Quarterly - David Konstan

Halliwell has given the cognitivist position a highly nuanced, philosophically sophisticated version that will command the attention of scholars of classical and Western literary criticism.

Bryn Mawr Classical Reviews - Andrew Ford

Stephen Halliwell's formidable book . . . is scholarly, lucid, wide-ranging, discriminating. . . . An outstanding example of taking ideas seriously, and one that deserves a wide and intelligent readership.

Times Literary Supplement - Michael Silk

A magisterial survey . . . immensely learned and meticulously argued. . . . [It] will be indispensable to any future discussion of art and representation in classical antiquity.
— David Konstan

The Philosophical Quarterly

Halliwell has given the cognitivist position a highly nuanced, philosophically sophisticated version that will command the attention of scholars of classical and Western literary criticism.
— Andrew Ford

Bryn Mawr Classical Reviews

Stephen Halliwell's formidable book . . . is scholarly, lucid, wide-ranging, discriminating. . . . An outstanding example of taking ideas seriously, and one that deserves a wide and intelligent readership.
— Michael Silk

Times Literary Supplement

Halliwell has given the cognitivist position a highly nuanced, philosophically sophisticated version that will command the attention of scholars of classical and Western literary criticism.
— Andrew Ford

Bryn Mawr Classical Review