Spinoza, aesthetics, and Percy Shelley's 'A Defence of Poetry'

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5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the relation between Spinoza’s philosophy and the aesthetic theories and pronouncements developed by Percy Shelley in his well-known essay ‘A Defence of Poetry’. It begins by briefly considering questions of influence, before developing a critique of James. C. Morrison’s argument that Spinoza’s philosophy does not engage with aesthetic questions. It argues, against Morrison, that clear lines of argument can be found in Spinoza that open understandings of how artistic practice might have real effects in the world. It then develops a reading of ‘A Defence of Poetry’ in light of Shelley’s interest in Spinoza’s philosophy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)721-738
Number of pages19
JournalTextual Practice
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Shelley_Percy Bysshe_1792, 1822
  • Spinoza_Benedictus de_1632, 1677
  • aesthetics
  • criticism and interpretation

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