Wonder Strikes

Steven E. Knepper

ISBN 10: 1438489560 / ISBN 13: 9781438489568

Published by State University of New York Press, US, 2023

About this Item

The first book-length examination of the prominent contemporary philosopher William Desmond's approach to aesthetics, art, and literature.William Desmond argues that philosophy, religion, and art begin in wonder. Desmond is widely recognized for his original metaphysics and his provocative philosophy of religion. Desmond's extensive writings on aesthetics, art, and literature, however, have received much less attention. Wonder Strikes is the first book-length examination of these dimensions of Desmond's thought. It offers nuanced commentary on his treatment of beauty and the sublime; his accounts of tragedy and comedy; and his argument that, having asked "too much" of art in modernity, we now ask "too little." Desmond claims that art, philosophy, and religion must recover their ancient kinship and their shared roots in wonder if they are to counter the destructive instrumentalism of our time.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781438489568

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Wonder Strikes
• Publisher: State University of New York Press, US
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1438489560
• ISBN 13: 9781438489568
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 390 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The first book-length examination of the prominent contemporary philosopher William Desmond's approach to aesthetics, art, and literature.

William Desmond argues that philosophy, religion, and art begin in wonder. Desmond is widely recognized for his original metaphysics and his provocative philosophy of religion. Desmond's extensive writings on aesthetics, art, and literature, however, have received much less attention. Wonder Strikes is the first book-length examination of these dimensions of Desmond's thought. It offers nuanced commentary on his treatment of beauty and the sublime; his accounts of tragedy and comedy; and his argument that, having asked "too much" of art in modernity, we now ask "too little." Desmond claims that art, philosophy, and religion must recover their ancient kinship and their shared roots in wonder if they are to counter the destructive instrumentalism of our time.

About the Author

Steven E. Knepper is Associate Professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies at the Virginia Military Institute.