Essays on the Nature of Art

<p><b>Presents a theory of art which is at once universal in its general conception and historically-grounded in its attention to aesthetic practices in diverse cultures. Argues that art especially today enjoys a special kind of autonomy but that it has nevertheless important social and political responsibilities.</b></p><p>In this newest book the author presents a theory of art which is at once universal in its general conception and historically-grounded in its attention to aesthetic practices in diverse cultures. The author argues that especially today art not only enjoys a special kind of autonomy but also has important social and political responsibilities.</p><p>Deutsch posits that an art work has as its intentionality the striving to be aesthetically forceful meaningful and beautiful with each of these dimensions culturally situated. Working from traditional imitation and expression theories he argues that the manner of an artwork's coming into being and one's experience of it constitutes an integral whole.</p><p>Selected aspects of painting poetry dance architecture films and music are offered to deepen an understanding of the concepts presented. Also included are several inter-connected themes focusing on the difficult and controversial issues of interpreting art truth in art and the relations between art and morality and art and religion.</p>