Customer Reviews

Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite, and Art

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_Philosophy in a New Key_ treats with a wide range of deep philosophical issues, but Langer writes in a clear, accessible style, so that the book should be both intelligible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

The book starts with the proposition that the questions we ask are more important than the answers we give, since the questions determine the potential range of answers and the shape of the world we live in. It ends by proposing a critically defensible way to deal with the "loss of meaning" which Galilean natural science's "disenchantment of the world" has brought about.

Although written in 1948, _Philosophy in a New Key_ remains vital today. Indeed, in key ways it still remains (alas...) ahead of *our* time.

A truly great -- humane -- work.

Written in the 40's, but still as valid today as ever. Not exactly PC in style or language usage, but none better for clear and concise description of the human philosophical/mental condition. As we start to scratch the surface of our gray matter in the upcoming years, this theory of the mind gives us a thorough understanding of where we are. We are symbol creating creatures and that defines us as we are constantly defining our surroundings.

Philosophy in a New Key introduces the reader to the world of symbols, signs and meaning with such crystalline clarity as to generate newfound interest and heuristic momentum. What might be obscure is delivered in easy ilumination and opens the door to deeper understanding of all serious texts and their intentions. This volume is a must for the budding philosopher of language and meaning every bit as much as Quine's Ontological Relativity.

Esta obra, habiendo sido publicada en el 1953, es completamente actual y vigente. Langer combina una potente mente sistemática, un finísimo y consistente análisis filosófico junto a una sensibilidad propia de una artista. La autora habla del proceso artístico desde dentro. En este libro pone los fundamentos de una filosofía del Arte, (haciendo mayor énfasis en la Música, (ya era hora!)) y esboza un camino muy consistente y sistemático para establecer de qué tipo de conocimiento estamos hablando cuando nos referimos al arte. Analiza el proceso creativo del artista con tal sensibilidad que cualquier artista se verá reconocido en gran medida en su propio quehacer sin ninguna violencia.

Altamente recomendable para cualquiera que busque una mayor consciencia de lo que supone el proceso artístico en todas sus dimensiones, así como los cimientos de una epistemología del Arte, seria y consistente... Una delicia de lectura!!
Después llegaría la continuación con su magnífica obra 'Feeling and Form'