Defense of Judgment

Teachers of literature make judgments about the value of works, but the field of literary studies has disavowed these judgments due to prejudice and social status. Michael W. Clune's book challenges this objection and offers a positive account of literary studies as an institution of aesthetic education. He advocates for the cultivation of "negative capability" to discover new concepts and values in artworks, using close reading as a key skill.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Literary scholars make assessments regarding the worth of literary works. They communicate to their students which works are remarkable, exquisite, unexpected, peculiar, or insightful, thereby determining which ones are more deserving of their time and attention. However, the field of literary studies has largely distanced itself from making judgments of artistic value, arguing that such assessments are inherently biased or entangled in issues of social hierarchy. For several decades, professors have referred to their work as value-neutral, serving as a tool for students to acquire cultural, political, or historical knowledge.

In his thought-provoking book, Michael W. Clunes challenges these objections to judgment and presents a positive account of literary studies as an institution of aesthetic education. Clune argues that it is impossible to separate judgments about literary value from the practices of interpretation and analysis that form the basis of any viable model of literary expertise. He envisions a progressive politics that is liberated from the strictures of dogmatic equality and energized by education in aesthetic judgment, transcending consumer culture and market preferences. Drawing on psychological and philosophical theories of knowledge and perception, Clune advocates for the cultivation of what John Keats referred to as "negative capability," the ability to question existing criteria and discover new concepts and values in artworks.

Moving from theory to practice, Clune examines works by Keats, Emily Dickinson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Samuel Beckett, and Thomas Bernhard, demonstrating how close reading, the traditional key skill of the profession, harnesses judgment to unlock new modes of perception. Through his analysis, Clune shows how literary scholars can engage with texts in a way that fosters critical thinking, encourages creativity, and expands our understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Clune's book challenges the notion that judgments of artistic value are inherently prejudiced or problematic. Instead, he advocates for a positive view of literary studies as an institution that promotes aesthetic education and fosters critical thinking. By examining the relationship between judgment and interpretation, Clune offers a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies and provides a roadmap for educators and scholars seeking to enhance the value and impact of their work.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226653969