beauty changes everything
THE SUBLIME IN MODERN PHILOSOPHY: AESTHETICS, ETHICS, AND NATURE. By Emily Brady. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Pp. Xi+227. Hard Cover $72.00, ISBN: 9780521194143. People commonly refer to pleasurable experiences of nature as experiences of beauty. Sometimes, however, beauty does not seem to be the appropriate term, causing some people to turn to the sublime. … Continue reading Emily Brady’s The Sublime in Modern Philosophy
Art is meant to be experienced. Recently in Massachusetts, there was a major push to promote the arts. Social media lit up with people holding signs that read why the arts matter—which was genuinely encouraging to see. I love art, and I commend their enthusiasm. But I’m always surprised by how many people rest their … Continue reading Why Do We Thrive on Self-Expression?
The value of art is regularly called into question. Not long ago, our state reduced funding to the Massachusetts Cultural Council—an all-too-familiar pattern. In response, advocates often turn to instrumental arguments: art improves education, boosts the economy, strengthens communities. These points have merit and have helped secure funding. But are they enough? At a recent … Continue reading Why Art Matters: Beyond the Bottom Line