Aesthetics: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art

by Anne Sheppard

Why do people read novels, go to the theater, or listen to beautiful music? Do we seek out aesthetic experiences simply because we enjoy them--or is there another, deeper, reason we spend our leisure time viewing or experiencing works of art? Aesthetics, the first short introduction to the contemporary philosophy of aesthetics, examines not just the nature of the aesthetic experience, but the definition of art, and its moral and intrinsic value in our lives.
Anne Sheppard divides her work into two parts: In the first, she summarizes the major theories defining art and beauty; in the second, she explores the nature of aesthetic evaluation and appreciation. As Sheppard explains, there are three main approaches to defining art, all focused on what art objects share. One proposes that all art imitates something in life, another that it expresses something (such as anger or ecstasy), still another suggests that all art has formal qualities. There is also a fourth which offers that all art shares the quality of beauty.
In the second part, which concentrates on literary art, Sheppard explores such philosophic topics as critical judgment, meaning and truth in literature, and the relationship between art and morals. She raises such questions as whether there is one correct interpretation of a work of art and whether art has a moral effect on its audience and, citing specific examples, explores the views that have been put forth. A wide-ranging, intriguing book, which assumes no formal knowledge on the part of its readers, Aesthetics opens the door to a greater understanding and appreciation of art.

Genres: Philosophy, Art, Nonfiction, Art History

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 2 out of 5]

برای آشنایی با بحث های فلسفی این کتاب رو شروع کردم، اما کلی تر از چیزی بود که بتونه به من چیز زیادی یاد بده. البته بی انصافیه اگر بگم هیچ چیز هم نیاموختم. مطالبی که درباره نقد فرم و فرانمایی خوندم مفید بودن و دوستشون داشتم.
همراهی صدرا هم در این مطالعه خیلی کمکم کرد و آسون تر گذشت.
در نهایت اینکه مطالعه و بررسی هنر، باید بتونه مارو آدم بهتری کنه. اما آیا میتونه؟

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I chose to read this book. I should tell you that this book made the last couple of months in my life so much easier, by bringing up subjects that were so ideal and "fine" to think about, I almost forgot about my every day problems.
So,
do you ever think about why a person would spend years of work making a sculpture that has no use or application in the everyday chores of our lives? Or why is it that some people can't help but to write poems, journals, leave some extraordinary output from their minds?
This book quenched my thirst towards knowing what happens inside of us when we make art, when we see art, and when we criticize art. As I could assume from the beginning, there is no definite answer to any question. All we can do is approach the issue from different viewpoints and come to a better understanding of the world of arts. That's the magic of arts, you can't measure and categorize every little detail that is happened in an art piece. You just can't explain magic. It's just a feeling. And that's what amazes me. Us humans have this enormous super power within us, that could destroy and burn everything to the ground, or build and bring beauty to our surroundings. Yet, a lot of us have not discovered or identified this power within ourselves.
If you are only interested in knowing yourself and the world you live in better, I highly recommend this.

[Ceena · Rating 3 out of 5]

همانطور که در مقدمه آمده کتاب بیشتر حول ادبیات می چرخد. البته شیوه ارائه مطالب کتاب می توانست جذاب تر باشد بطوری که خواننده را با بحث های فلسفی بیشتر درگیر کند، کاری که نایجل واربرتون در الفبای فلسفه کرده است.

[Shaghayegh.l3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

مطالب مفیدی از این کتاب برداشتم اما ترجمه‌ای که توی یک صفحه هیجده‌بار «تأویل» رو بدون استفاده از کلمات مشابه و هم‌معنیش بیاره، ترجمه‌ای نیست که بخوام خط‌به‌خط بخونمش.

[Mehrdad · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب همانطور که از اسمش مشخصه، مباحث پایه ای فلسفه هنر رو به طور خلاصه مطرح میکنه.
سر فصل های کتاب فکر میکنم بهتر از هر توضیحی نشون میدن که محتوای کتاب دقیقاً چیه:

چرا به هنر روی می‌کنیم؟
نسخه برداری(imitation)
فرانمایی(expression)
فرم
هنر، زیبایی و درک زیباشناسانه
نقد. تاویل و ارزیابی
معنا و صدق
هنر و اخلاق

این کتاب اولین کتابی بود که توی این حیطه میخوندم و برای همین نمیتونم مقایسه کنم با کتابهای دیگه و بگم چقدر کامل یا ناقص بود.
از بدی هاش یکی ترجمه کردن اصطلاحاتی مث expression بود که به نظرم بهتر بود فارسی نمیشدن چون خب ما با رمان طرف نیستیم و یه کتاب تخصصی محسوب میشه این کتاب!
یه نقطه ضعف دیگه این بود که ارجاعات به آثار مختلف خیلی جاها بدون توضیحات اضافی بود و فرض نویسنده این بود که همه اون کتاب هاو آثار رو مخاطب خونده و دیده و بلده! این اتفاق گاهی سخت میکرد که درک کنم منظور نویسنده دقیقاً چیه هرچند حدودی منظورو میرسوند.
در کل از خوندنش راضی بودم!

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheppard takes a very common-sense approach to aesthetics in this book. You can either find that refreshing or somewhat limiting and unimaginative.

[Ehsan · Rating 3 out of 5]

شپرد شارح خوبی است، اما مفسّر نه و این، به‌خصوص در بحثش درباره‌ی نیت هنرمند و مباحث بعدی که رویکردهای تفسیری پیدا می‌کنه دیده می‌شه.

[Gareth]

A very solid introduction to the philosophy of art. Runs through all the main theories - art as imitation, expression, form, beauty, etc. - and also covers the questions of interpretation, meaning and morality. It is well written and clear, without actually sacrificing the detail of the various theories discussed. That said, there are probably more engaging introductions to the subject, and parts of it are a little dry. However, recommended as an introduction for those studying the subject.

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

[maryam]

This book gives you a good idea about the meaning of beauty

[Paloma Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great intro book to aesthetics, but the second half does focus heavily on literature, so if visual arts is more your field of interest, maybe look elsewhere. Not a bad book though.

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 2 out of 5]

مفید بود‌.

[Elyas]

بازم کتاب نادرستی رو برای خوندن انتخاب کردم و رهاش کردم‌.

[Parastou Heidari Azar Heris · Rating 4 out of 5]

صرف نظر از متن و ترجمه‌ی خوب کتاب، نکته‌ای که برام جالب بود مبانی بودن کتاب به معنای واقعی کلمه‌ست. دور از زیاده‌گویی‌های فلسفی این کتاب واقعا مبانی فلسفه هنره.

[sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tout comprendre c’est tout pardonner