Art, Representation, and Make-Believe: Essays on the Philosophy of Kendall L. Walton

Kendall L. Walton's groundbreaking work on the arts provides a comprehensive framework for understanding them in terms of the human capacity for make-believe. Contributions from a diverse group of philosophers probe his proposals and the themes for research they open, making this book of interest to scholars and graduate students working on aesthetics across the humanities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 422 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Kendall L. Walton, a renowned scholar in the field of aesthetics, has authored a groundbreaking collection of essays that delve into the diverse and intricate aspects of his work. Spanning over five decades, Walton's contributions have profoundly shaped the discourse surrounding the arts. Through his comprehensive framework, he offers a profound understanding of arts in terms of the human capacity for make-believe, revealing how various artistic mediums, such as visual, photographic, musical, literary, and poetic expressions, can be explained through complex structures of pretense, perception, imagination, empathy, and emotion.

Walton's groundbreaking work has transcended the realm of aesthetics, addressing fundamental issues related to linguistic and scientific representations. He has explored the nature of scientific modeling, delving into the complexities of how scientific concepts are translated into visual representations. Additionally, his insights have shed light on the profound differences between the literal meanings of words and the ways in which we communicate them.

Contributions from a diverse range of philosophers engage with Walton's detailed proposals and the themes they suggest for future research. The essays in this collection provide a comprehensive overview of significant debates that revolve around Walton's work, highlighting the central role that aesthetics plays in understanding the world around us.

This book appeals to scholars and graduate students engaged in aesthetics across various humanities disciplines, as well as those interested in the intersection of representation, perception, language, science, and metaphysics. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the artistic process and the complex interplay between imagination, emotion, and the broader philosophical realm.

In conclusion, Kendall L. Walton's collection of essays is a testament to his enduring influence on the field of aesthetics. Through his innovative framework and profound insights, he has expanded our understanding of the arts and challenged the boundaries of representation and perception. This book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, as it offers a wealth of knowledge and ideas that will continue to shape our understanding of the world for years to come.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032013978