PHIL 109 - Aesthetics: The Aesthetic German Tradition
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions regarding the nature of beauty, taste, and art. What makes something beautiful? Is beauty something universal? What counts as art? Can anyone make art, or is art solely the domain of the artistic genius? In the history of philosophy, these questions have been raised and answered most thoroughly in the tradition of modern German philosophy. This course introduces students to this rich and foundational tradition of German Aesthetics, which spans roughly from the 18th to the 20th Century. We will study influential writings on aesthetics by challenging authors such as Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Adorno. Successful completion of the course means that you will be able to identify, analyze, and distinguish among the major themes and figures in the history of the German Aesthetic Tradition.
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions regarding the nature of beauty, taste, and art. What makes something beautiful? Is beauty something universal? What counts as art? Can anyone make art, or is art solely the domain of the artistic genius? In the history of philosophy, these questions have been raised and answered most thoroughly in the tradition of modern German philosophy. This course introduces students to this rich and foundational tradition of German Aesthetics, which spans roughly from the 18th to the 20th Century. We will study influential writings on aesthetics by challenging authors such as Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Adorno. Successful completion of the course means that you will be able to identify, analyze, and distinguish among the major themes and figures in the history of the German Aesthetic Tradition.
