Mormonism, Empathy, and Aesthetics: Beholding the Body

This book explores the role of the physical body in Mormon doctrine and its implications for Mormon aesthetics, suggesting that an aesthetic framework rooted in bodily empathy can be employed rather than traditional Christian or Mormon moral values.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the profound significance of the physical body in foundational Mormon doctrine, unveiling a model of empathy that holds immense implications for the realm of Mormon aesthetics. Its three primary objectives are to elucidate the intricate relationship between Mormonism and the body, to shed light on the traditional approaches employed by Mormons to comprehend and appreciate art, and to propose that the body as envisioned by Mormonism presents a fertile ground for an aesthetic framework rooted in bodily empathy rather than solely adhering to traditional Christian or Mormon moral values. To substantiate this claim, numerous chapters of the book explore the application of Mormonism's theology of the body to paintings and poems created by contemporary Mormon artists and writers. A close examination of these works reveals the emergence of nascent seeds of a new Mormon aesthetic, yet they have not yet achieved a significant transformation in the prevailing Mormon perspective regarding the role and function of art.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030932961
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022