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Aesthetics

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Aesthetics presents Theodor W. Adorno's influential 1958-59 lectures that laid the groundwork for his later, seminal Aesthetic Theory. The text explores diverse topics, including deep analyses of Georg Lukács, philosophical examinations of Plato, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Benjamin, and innovative reflections on John Cage's experimental music. Adorno interweaves artistic, intellectual, and political insights from post-war Germany, illustrating the rich context shaping his critical thought.
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This volume is ideal for students and scholars in humanities and social sciences interested in philosophy, critical theory, and aesthetic experience, as well as readers seeking to understand post-war intellectual contexts and Adorno's profound influence on aesthetics.

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This volume of lectures on aesthetics, given by Adorno in the winter semester of 1958/59, formed the foundation for his later text Aesthetic Theory, widely regarded as one of Adorno s greatest works.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This volume of lectures on aesthetics, given by Adorno in the winter semester of 1958–9, formed the foundation for his later Aesthetic Theory, widely regarded as one of his greatest works.

The lectures cover a wide range of topics, from an intense analysis of the work of Georg Lukács to a sustained reflection on the theory of aesthetic experience. Adorno examines works by Plato, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, and Benjamin, and discusses the latest experiments of John Cage, attesting to the virtuosity and breadth of Adorno's engagement. All the while, Adorno remains deeply connected to his surrounding context, offering us a window onto the artistic, intellectual, and political confrontations that shaped life in post-war Germany.

This volume will appeal to a broad range of students and scholars in the humanities and social sciences, as well as anyone interested in the development of critical theory.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Peter Dews of the University of Essex praises the book for its intellectual vigour and engagement with major figures in aesthetic philosophy, highlighting Adorno's idea of art as 'reason in the form of its otherness' resisting instrumental rationality. Michael Jennings from Princeton University considers the lectures a vital and independent contribution to understanding Adorno's mature aesthetic philosophy, offering revelatory insights beyond a mere precursor to Aesthetic Theory.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780745679402

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Wieland Hoban
  • Edited by Eberhard Ortland
  • Translated by Wieland Hoban
  • Translated by Wieland Hoban

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 146.0mm

Height: 224.0mm

Weight: 612g

Pages: 376

About the Author

Theodor W. Adorno (1903-1969), a prominent member of the Frankfurt School, was one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century in the areas of social theory, philosophy and aesthetics.

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