Lexington Books Art and Selfhood: A Kierkegaardian Account

On Art and Selfhood lies at the intersection of existentialism and the philosophy of art. On the philosophy of art side, it addresses questions about why art matters and how we ought to appreciate it. On the existentialism side, it attends to questions pertaining to authenticity or authentic selfhood. That is to say, it focuses on issues and problems having to do with our personal identity or our sense of who we are. The goal of the book is to bring together these two topics in a productive manner by showing that works of art matter partly because they can help us with the project of selfhood. In other words, works of art are important in part because they can offer us much needed guidance and support as we try to figure out who we really are. To make the case for this thesis, On Art and Selfhood draws on the works of the Danish thinker, Søren Kierkegaard (1813-55). It mines his writings for insights regarding aesthetics and personal identity, and then uses these insights to contribute to current discussions of these topics. Thus, the book speaks not only to those with interests in contemporary analytic philosophy but also to those with interests in historical scholarship on Kierkegaard. Review According to Aumann (Northern Michigan Univ.), Søren Kierkegaard held that art has the power to instruct in self-formulation. This view shares features with the "cognitive value of art," according to which art is argued to have the capacity to put forward propositions and generate knowledge. In the early chapters of Art and Selfhood, Aumann canvases four models of selfhood, each of which has been thought to be a good framework for self-creation: the inner sense, constitution, religious, and dialogical models. Each of these ways of self-creation has textual evidence from Kierkegaard's works to recommend it, but each also has textual evidence running counter to it. Ultimately, Aumann finds that art's value in constructing a self is the most valuable model, in that it teaches one about the world and about oneself. Aumann does a good job of laying out the various ways one might go about putting together all the elements for a healthy self. Though some familiarity with Continental philosophers would be helpful, it is not a necessity; the author presents his ideas clearly and thoughtfully. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; general readers.--CHOICE This innovative, clearly argued work shows that an interpersonal conception of authentic self-definition can be defended on Kierkegaardian grounds -- including the edifying potential of artworks and obligations on artists to care about the wellbeing of their audiences. Aumann brings Kierkegaardian themes to life without relying solely on a religious framework.--John Davenport, Professor of Philosophy, Fordham Univeristy This excellent book not only advances our understanding of art and selfhood as viewed from an existential standpoint: it also offers an appreciative and insightful reading of both the 'how' and the 'what' of Kierkegaard's literary artistry.--Rick Anthony Furtak, Colorado College This is a wonderfully clear and carefully argued book in which Aumann draws creatively on Kierkegaard's work to show the relevance of art to the development of authentic selfhood.--Anthony Rudd, St. Olaf Antony Aumann's Art and Selfhood strikes a remarkable balance between philosophical ambition and communicative clarity. Seeking nothing less than an account of how it is possible for art to be an integral part of our self-understanding and self-constitution, Aumann draws on his deep knowledge of Kierkegaard and his intellectual context, contemporary philosophy, and art from the Renaissance to our own time, to argue with remarkable lucidity and humane wisdom. Unafraid both to walk with Kierkegaard and to challenge him, Art and Selfhood cement's Aumann's place as a leading voice of Kierkegaardian thought.--Patrick Stokes, Deakin Un