Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: An Introduction (Elements of Philosophy) - Hardcover

Stecker, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 074256410X ISBN 13: 9780742564107

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Stecker is professor of philosophy at Central Michigan University.

Review:

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)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 074256410X
• ISBN 13: 9780742564107
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 328