A theory of art : inexhaustibility by contrast

Author(s)

• Ross, Stephen David

Bibliographic Information

A theory of art : inexhaustibility by contrast

Stephen David Ross

（SUNY series in systematic philosophy）

State University of New York Press, c1982

• pbk.

Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

The richness of art is manifested in contrast: contrast with other works of art, other features of human experience, other times and places, and other forms of judgment and understanding. The possibilities of contrast are inexhaustible. Every being shares this inexhaustibility of openness to novel possibilities, although inexhaustibility is most fully realized in art. The general theory of art and aesthetic value developed in this book is based on the notions of inexhaustibility and contrast and has important forebears in Kant, Coleridge, and Whitehead. The theory allows art to be located relative to otheR spheres of judgment—science, action, and philosophy. The theory allows a new perspective on interpretation and criticism. Ross presents and defines a new synthetic form of understanding works of art that offers an alternative to the skepticism that haunts so many theories of interpretation.

Table of Contents

PREFACE 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THEORIES OF ART AS THEORIES OF CONTRAST Imitation Representation The Embodiment of Ideals Imitation of Feeling Imitation of a Model Truth Appearance and Reality Artifice and Nature Beauty Utility Style Subjectivity and Objectivity Paradox Unity and Multiplicity 3. THE THEORY OF CONTRAST The Ordinal Theory Prevalence and Deviance Possibility and Actuality Ordinality and Intensity of Contrast 4. CONTRASTS AND AESTHETIC VALUE: DIMENSIONS AND GENERAL TYPES The Dimensions of Artisitic Value Perfection Invention Celebration Nature and the Dimensions of Contrast General Types of Contrast Traditionary Contrasts Intramedial Contrasts Intermedial Contrasts Intermodal Contrasts Intersubjective Contrasts Integral and Scopic Contrasts 5. CONTRASTS AND AESTHETIC VALUE: SPECIFIC KINDS OF CONTRAST Types of Contrast Generality and Specificity Simplicity and Complexity Token and Type Surface and Depth Beauty and Ugliness Space Time Important Contrasts in Art Humor Irony Violence Other Modes of Contrast 6. CRITICISM, INTERPRETATION, ILLUSTREMENT Description Criticism Interpretation Illustrement Art and Query Illustrement and Query INDEX

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA20595469
• ISBN:
  • 0873955544
  • 0873955552
• LCCN: 81009027
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Albany
• Pages/Volumes: xii, 246 p.
• Size: 23 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : N70
  • DC19 : 701
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Art -- Philosophy
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA01109643