Art, Beauty and Creativity: Indian and Western Aesthetics

Book Detail:

• Author: Gupta, Shyamala
• Brand: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
• Edition: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 464
• Release Date: 30-09-1999
• EAN: 9788124601334
• Package Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Languages: English

Book Description:

When the 18th-century German philosopher A.G. Baumgarten first introduced 'Aesthetics' as an academic discipline dealing with the philosophy of beauty, he couldn't have anticipated the controversies raised by logical positivists, analytical schools, and linguists. These debates have questioned the validity and legitimacy of a philosophical inquiry into beauty, art, and creative processes. Despite its relatively recent usage, Aesthetics has a long history, beginning in the West with ancient Greek philosophers like Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle, and in India with the Vedic writings, particularly Bharata.

Dr. Shyamala Gupta's book offers a comprehensive and painstaking analysis of the historical progression of aesthetics in both Indian and Western traditions. It focuses on important concepts, theories, and key evolutionary milestones. The book is divided into two parts: Part 1 explores Indian aesthetics, including theories of rasa and dhvani, and the worldview of art. Part 2 traces the development of Western theories of art and beauty from ancient Greece to contemporary thinkers, examining how art interacts with morality, science, sport, and culture. This meticulously updated work will interest anyone engaged in the study of aesthetics, whether specialists, students, or general readers.