The Possibility of Culture: Pleasure and Moral Development in Kant's Aesthetics (New Directions in Aesthetics)

__T____he Possibility of Culture: Pleasure and Moral Development in Kant’s Aesthetics__ presents an in-depth exploration and deconstruction of Kant’s depiction of the ways in which aesthetic pursuits can promote personal moral development. * Presents an in-depth exploration of the connection between Kant’s aesthetics and his views on moral development * Reveals the links between Kant’s aesthetics and his anthropology and moral psychology * Explores Kant’s notion of genius and his views on the connections between the social aspects of taste and moral development * Addresses aspects of Kant’s ethical theory that will interest scholars working in ethics and moral psychology Title Page 5 Copyright Page 6 Contents 9 Acknowledgements 10 Note on Citations 11 Introduction 13 Notes 21 Chapter 1 Aesthetics and Culture in Context 25 A Pettiness of Soul 25 The Disposition to Choose Nothing But Good Ends 31 Notes 38 Chapter 2 Beauty and Love 43 A Need of Being Grateful 43 Uniting Gratitude with Love of Man 50 Subordinating One’s Own Particular Inclination 51 Notes 54 Chapter 3 Beauty and Disinterestedness 58 Regardless of Whether the Object Exists or Not 58 Knowing What Sort of a Thing the Object is Intended to Be 61 The Mere Representation of the Object 67 Sustine et Abstine 69 Notes 71 Chapter 4 Art, Genius, and Abstraction 78 A Beautiful Soul – to Which No Connoisseur or Art Collector Can Lay Claim 78 A Contingency of Form 82 Through Which Nature Gives the Rule to Art 87 Notes 93 Chapter 5 Sublimity and Esteem 96 Not to Disavow the Moral Self-Esteem of Such a Being 96 A Might of the Mind 99 By a Certain Subreption 110 Notes 111 Chapter 6 Choosing Culture Over Happiness 117 The Ultimate End of Nature 117 The Liberation of the Will 123 By the Constitution of Our Understanding 126 Notes 131 Chapter 7 Conclusion 134 Notes 147 Bibliography 150 Index 155 EULA 158 Cover; Table Of Contents; Title Page; Acknowledgements; Note On Citations; Introduction; 1 Aesthetics And Culture In Context; A Pettiness Of Soul; The Disposition To Choose Nothing But Good Ends; 2 Beauty And Love; A Need Of Being Grateful; Uniting Gratitude With Love Of Man; Subordinating One's Own Particular Inclination; 3 Beauty And Disinterestedness; Regardless Of Whether The Object Exists Or Not; Knowing What Sort Of A Thing The Object Is Intended To Be; The Mere Representation Of The Object; Sustine Et Abstine; 4 Art, Genius, And Abstraction A Beautiful Soul -- To Which No Connoisseur Or Art Collector Can Lay Claima Contingency Of Form; Through Which Nature Gives The Rule To Art; 5 Sublimity And Esteem; Not To Disavow The Moral Self-esteem Of Such A Being; A Might Of The Mind; By A Certain Subreption; 6 Choosing Culture Over Happiness; The Ultimate End Of Nature; The Liberation Of The Will; By The Constitution Of Our Understanding; 7 Conclusion; Bibliography; Index; End User License Agreement Bradley Murray. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Possibility of Culture: Pleasure and Moral Development in Kant's Aesthetics presents an in-depth exploration and deconstruction of Kant's depiction of the ways in which aesthetic pursuits can promote personal moral development. Some of the most enduring and influential contributions to philosophical aesthetics were made by Immanuel Kant. By exploring details of Kant's aesthetic theory alongside his theory of moral development, Kantian scholar Bradley Murray reveals the surprising connections between the philosopher's thoughts on the pleasures of beauty and sublimity and his moral psychology and anthropology. Other topics explored include current approaches to Kantian aesthetics, Kant's arguments for the pursuit of culture over pleasure the moral implications of pursuing the pleasure of beauty, and Kant's notion of genius. Offering innovative perspectives on Kantian philosophy. The Possibility of Culture sheds new light on the writings of an important figure whose philosophical concepts continue to shape Western thought T he Possibility of Culture: Pleasure and Moral Development in Kant’s Aesthetics presents an in-depth exploration and deconstruction of Kant’s depiction of the ways in which aesthetic pursuits can promote personal moral development. Presents an in-depth exploration of the connection between Kant’s aesthetics and his views on moral development Reveals the links between Kant’s aesthetics and his anthropology and moral psychology Explores Kant’s notion of genius and his views on the connections between the social aspects of taste and moral development Addresses aspects of Kant’s ethical theory that will interest scholars working in ethics and moral psychology