Things: In Touch with the Past

Things: In Touch with the Past explores the value of artifacts that have survived from the past and that can be said to embody their histories. Carolyn Korsmeyer argues that wonder or marvel at old things fits within an experiential account of the aesthetic, and that touch is a fundamental sense that registers bodily position and location. She also considers the ethical issues of genuineness, and the differences between a real thing and a replica.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In Touch with the Past delves into the profound significance of artifacts that have endured through time, encapsulating the essence of their histories. These authentic and genuine objects offer a unique aesthetic experience, allowing us to connect with the past in a profound manner, even though the genuineness itself cannot be readily perceived through our senses. While it may often go unnoticed, the sense of touch plays a fundamental role in these encounters, even when literal touch is prohibited. Carolyn Korsmeyer begins her account by asserting that marveling at old things can be understood within an experiential framework of aesthetics. She then proceeds to present her central argument regarding the role of touch, emphasizing its significance both when direct physical contact is made and when proximity suffices. Touch, as a fundamental sense, serves as a means of registering our bodily position and location. A proper understanding of the identity of objects is assumed when we value them simply for what they are, and when we discover that a mistake has been made, admiration often fades. Contrary to popular belief, these errors of identification actually reinforce the importance of the genuine. Carolyn Korsmeyer further elaborates on this position by drawing a comparison between valuing artifacts and valuing individuals. She also delves into the ethical considerations surrounding genuineness, recognizing that artifacts can be subjected to various forms of harm, ranging from vandalism to botched restoration efforts. In depth, she examines the distinctions between a real thing and a replica, highlighting that genuineness exists on a spectrum. The final chapter of her work reviews the ontology that best suits an account of the persistence of things valued for their authentic nature.

Weight: 298g
Dimension: 211 x 140 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197649596