Against the assumption that aesthetic form relates to a harmonious arrangement of parts into a beautiful whole, this book argues that reason is the real theme of the Critique of Judgment as of the two earlier Critiques. Since aesthetic judgment of the beautiful becomes possible only when the mind is confronted with things of nature, for which no determined concepts of understanding are available, aesthetic judgment is involved in an epistemological or, rather, para-epistemological task.

The predicate "beautiful" indicates that something has minimal form and is cognizable. This book explores this concept of form, in particular the role of presentation (Darstellung) in what Kant refers to as "mere form," which involves not only the understanding, but also reason as the faculty of ideas. Such a notion of form reveals why the beautiful can be related to the morally good. On the basis of this reinterpreted concept of form, most major concepts and themes of the Critique of Judgment-such as disinterestedness, free play, the sublime, genius, and beautiful arts-are examined by the author and shown in a new light.

About the Author
Rodolphe Gasche is Eugenio Donato Professor of Comparative Literature at SUNY, Buffalo. His most recent book is Of Minimal Things: Studies on the Notion of Relation (Stanford, 1999).

Reviews
"The book reads very well and does a wonderful job of unfolding and disentangling Kant's dense and very complex arguments. In addition to philosophers, it will be of interest to those working in literary criticism, art theory, and political theory." -Dennis Schmidt,Villanova University



Book Information
ISBN 9780804746137
Author Rodolphe Gasche
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Stanford University Press
Publisher Stanford University Press
Weight(grams) 476g