The philosophy of tragedy : from Plato to Žižek

This book, written in an accessible style, is an exhaustive survey of the philosophy of tragedy from antiquity to the present. From Aristotle to Žižek, philosophers have asked: why, notwithstanding its distressing content, do we value tragedy? Some point to a certain pleasure that results from tragedy, others to the knowledge we gain from tragedy - of psychology, ethics, freedom, or immortality. This book is a full survey of the philosophy of tragedy from antiquity to the present. From Aristotle to Žižek the focal question has been: why, in spite of its distressing content, do we value tragic drama? What is the nature of the 'tragic effect'? Some philosophers point to a certain kind of pleasure that results from tragedy. Others, while not excluding pleasure, emphasize the knowledge we gain from tragedy - of psychology, ethics, freedom or immortality. Through a critical engagement with these and other philosophers, the book concludes by suggesting an answer to the question of what it is that constitutes tragedy 'in its highest vocation'. This book will be of equal interest to students of philosophy and of literature This Book Is A Comprehensive Survey Of The Philosophy Of Tragedy From Antiquity To The Present--from Inside The Book. Plato -- Aristotle -- After Aristotle -- Hume -- Schelling -- Hölderlin -- Hegel -- Kierkegaard -- Schopenhauer -- Nietzsche -- Benjamin And Schmitt -- Heidegger -- Camus -- Arthur Miller -- Žižek. Julian Young, Wake Forest University, North Carolina. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 271-276) And Index. "This book is a full survey of the philosophy of tragedy from antiquity to the present. From Artistotle to Zizek the focal question has been: why, in spite of its distressing content, do we value tragic drama? What is the nature of the 'tragic effect'? ... The book concludes by suggesting an answer to the question of what it is that constitutes tragedy 'in its highest vocation'." --Publisher description Written in an accessible style, this is a full survey of the philosophy of tragedy from antiquity to the present. From Aristotle to Žižek, philosophers have asked: why, notwithstanding its distressing content, do we value tragedy? Some point to a certain pleasure that results from tragedy, others to the knowledge we gain from tragedy - of psychology, ethics, freedom or immortality.