Philosophy of Art

Richard Eldridge's compact survey of philosophical theories of the nature and significance of art draws on materials from classical and contemporary philosophy as well as literary theory and art criticism. Eldridge explores the representational, expressive, and formal dimensions of art, and argues that works of art present their subject matter as creations of enduring cognitive, moral, and social interest. His accessible study will be of interest to students and anyone interested in the relationship between thought and art.

Philosophy of Art is a textbook for undergraduate students interested in the topic of philosophical aesthetics.It introduces the techniques of analytic philosophy as well as key topics such as the representational theory of art, formalism, neo-formalism, aesthetic theories of art, neo-Wittgensteinism, the Institutional Theory of Art. as well as historical approaches to the nature of art.Throughout, abstract philosophical theories are illustrated by examples of both traditional and contemporary art including frequent reference to the avant-garde in this way enriching the readers understanding of art theory as well as the appreciation of art.Unique features of the textbook are:* chapter summaries* summaries of major theories of art and suggested analyses of the important categories used when talking and thinking of art* annotated suggested readings at the ends of chapters.Also available in this series: Epistemology Pb: 0-415-13043-3: £12.99 Ethics Pb: 0-415-15625-4: £11.99 Metaphysics Pb: 0-415-14034-X: £12.99 Philosophy of Mind Pb: 0-415-13060-3: £11.99 Philosophy of Religion Pb: 0-415-13214-2: £12.99

This is a survey of mass art - including television, movies, bestselling novels, pulp fiction, popular music, comic-books, cartoons and photographs.

This volume challenges contemporary theories of aesthetics, offering beauty as a form of interpretation that integrates both quantitative and qualititative aspects of experience.

Written from the perspective of a painter-turned-art historian, "What Painting Is" communicates the experience of painting beyond the traditional vocabulary of art history. 25 photos, 15 in color.

This book strikes a new and better balance between these competing interests. By taking a normative question -- why should we value the arts? -- it manages to develop a genuinely philosophical understanding of art and its value while never losing sight of the poems, pictures and music which draw and sustain interest in the arts.

In this new second edition, chapters have been revised to include new material and also an added chapter about the subjectivity of aesthetic judgement, the importance of the artist's intention and the possibility of an aesthetic appreciation of nature. The book concludes with a critical survey of art theories and introduces some complex issues surrounding disputes between Marxism, structuralism and postmodernism.