A Brief History of Western Aesthetics

Author: Monroe C. Beardsley
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Reading is currently the most widely used textbook in aesthetic education in Europe and America. It is more up-to-date than the history of aesthetics by Bosanquet and Gilbert Kuhn, more objective than the history of aesthetics by Croce, and more comprehensive than the history of aesthetics by Dadikevich. This book starts from ancient Greece but focuses on the modern and contemporary period, with half of the book dedicated to Kant to the modern era. It includes new historical perspectives, new materials, and new viewpoints. In this way, it not only provides students with a general and accurate understanding of the history of aesthetics but also quickly brings them closer to contemporary realities, helping them understand emerging new trends, schools, and methods. As the translator states, "This book gives due space to the great figures, presenting them concisely and comprehensively. When mentioning ordinary figures, it places them within a historical development process, offering insightful remarks rather than just listing names and works. It tightly grasps the core of philosophical aesthetics while appropriately touching upon key concepts in literature, painting, music, drama, and other arts. When dealing with the views of his contemporaries, it strives for objectivity and fairness, not just presenting one's own perspective."