The Social Impact of the Arts : An Intellectual History

An intellectual history of contrasting ideas around the power of the arts to bring about personal and societal change - for better and worse. A fascinating account of the value and functions of the arts in society, in both the private sphere of individual emotions and self-development and public sphere of politics and social distinction. The Social Impact Of The Arts Offers An Intellectual History Of Claims Made Over Time For The Value, Function And Impact Of The Arts In Western Societies. With Chapters On Corruption, Catharsis, Education And 'art For Art's Sake', As Well As Number Of Other Key Themes, The Book Examines The Many Different Ways In Which Writers Have Attempted To Articulate The Social Impact Of The Arts. It Also Relates Contemporary Policy Debates To A History Of Ideas, Making A Timely Contribution To Public Debate About The Value Of The Arts In Modern Societies. Introduction -- Towards A New Approach To Researching The Social Impacts Of The Arts -- Corruption And Distraction -- Catharsis -- Personal Well-being -- Education And Self-development -- Moral Improvement And Civilization -- Political Instrument -- Social Stratification And Identity Construction -- Autonomy Of The Art And Rejection Of Instrumentality -- Conclusions -- References -- Index. Eleonora Belfiore And Oliver Bennett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 215-233) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-12 Towards a New Approach to Researching the Social Impacts of the Arts....Pages 13-39 Corruption and Distraction....Pages 40-78 Catharsis....Pages 79-91 Personal Well-Being....Pages 92-106 Education and Self-Development....Pages 107-123 Moral Improvement and Civilisation....Pages 124-145 Political Instrument....Pages 146-164 Social Stratification and Identity Construction....Pages 165-175 Autonomy of the Arts and Rejection of Instrumentality....Pages 176-190 Conclusion....Pages 191-195 Back Matter....Pages 196-240 Now in paperback, an intellectual history of contrasting ideas around the power of the arts to engender personal and societal change - for better and worse. A fascinating account of the value and functions of the arts in society, in the private sphere of individual emotions and self-development and public sphere of politics and social distinction