Cultural Renewal

Restoring the Liberal and Fine Arts

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Sociology
Cover of the book Cultural Renewal by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781351524520
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: February 6, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781351524520
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: February 6, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The decline of interest in the liberal and fine arts is widely lamented. At issue is why this decline happened and how we might restore qualitative standards by which to live. Arthur Pontynen argues that cultural decline is the consequence of a tragically anti-intellectual academic tradition—and its alternative is the cosmopolitan pursuit of wisdom and beauty.

Pontynen writes that the liberal and fine arts are justified by their attempt to understand the material realization of wisdom, of that which is true and good in reality and life. The current decline marks a denial that such qualitative aspirations are realistic. Instead of understanding art as the intellectual pursuit of ontological perfection, perfection is subjectified as willful preference or experience. Consequently, the liberal and fine arts have been displaced by a naturalistic social science and a relational existentialism. This reduction denies qualitive thoughts, words, and deeds.

Pontynen establishes that the arts are not obsolete, merely subjectivist, or limited to a brutal (de)constructivism. He argues for a renewed idealism that is neither reductionist, trivializing, or brutalized. Pontynen offers an alternative, global narrative that is both realistic and idealistic; one that permits us to distinguish between the trivial, the brutal, and the profound.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The decline of interest in the liberal and fine arts is widely lamented. At issue is why this decline happened and how we might restore qualitative standards by which to live. Arthur Pontynen argues that cultural decline is the consequence of a tragically anti-intellectual academic tradition—and its alternative is the cosmopolitan pursuit of wisdom and beauty.

Pontynen writes that the liberal and fine arts are justified by their attempt to understand the material realization of wisdom, of that which is true and good in reality and life. The current decline marks a denial that such qualitative aspirations are realistic. Instead of understanding art as the intellectual pursuit of ontological perfection, perfection is subjectified as willful preference or experience. Consequently, the liberal and fine arts have been displaced by a naturalistic social science and a relational existentialism. This reduction denies qualitive thoughts, words, and deeds.

Pontynen establishes that the arts are not obsolete, merely subjectivist, or limited to a brutal (de)constructivism. He argues for a renewed idealism that is neither reductionist, trivializing, or brutalized. Pontynen offers an alternative, global narrative that is both realistic and idealistic; one that permits us to distinguish between the trivial, the brutal, and the profound.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting by
Cover of the book The Changing Disability Policy System by
Cover of the book Democratic Social Education by
Cover of the book Vampire In Europe by
Cover of the book The Conservation Movement: A History of Architectural Preservation by
Cover of the book Healthcare Law: Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 by
Cover of the book An Introduction to Post-Keynesian and Marxian Theories of Value and Price by
Cover of the book Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers by
Cover of the book British Crime Cinema by
Cover of the book Rethinking Domestic Violence by
Cover of the book Practising Social Work Ethics Around the World by
Cover of the book The Elizabethan Secretariat and the Signet Office by
Cover of the book Responding to Men in Crisis by
Cover of the book Routledge Handbook of International Statebuilding by
Cover of the book Literature and the Metaphoric Universe in the Mind by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy