Three Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe : Volume VIII Volume 8 Hardback
by George (Chancellor's Professor of History) Santayana
Edited by Kellie Dawson, David E. Spiech
Part of the Works of George Santayana series
Hardback
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Santayana's argument for the unity of philosophy and poetry. This concise and compelling volume-described by Santayana as a "piece of literary criticism, together with a first broad lesson in the history of philosophy"-introduces Santayana's thought in the rich context of a European poetic tradition that demonstrates his broad conception of philosophy.
Rejecting both the Platonic opposition of philosophy and poetry and more recent attempts to reduce philosophy to science, Santayana argues that philosophy and poetry at their best are united in articulating a comprehensive vision of the world that permits honest contemplation of the universe.
He considers the ideal visions of three artists: Lucretius's naturalism provides a total perspective on the physical world but renders experience monotonous; Dante's supernaturalism provides a total perspective on experience but subordinates nature to morality; Goethe's romanticism provides a dramatic perspective on nature and experience but lacks totality.
Santayana sees each as the best in his own way, though none is best in all ways; and he speculates that the ideal poet would integrate the gifts and insights of all three, resulting in "rational art," of which philosophical poetry is a prime example. This critical edition, volume VIII of The Works of George Santayana, includes notes, textual commentary, lists of variants and emendations, an index, and other tools useful to Santayana scholars.
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Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:280 pages
- Publisher:MIT Press Ltd
- Publication Date:13/08/2019
- Category:
- ISBN:9780262043359
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:280 pages
- Publisher:MIT Press Ltd
- Publication Date:13/08/2019
- Category:
- ISBN:9780262043359