Why do gardens matter so much and mean so much to people? That is the intriguing question to which David Cooper seeks an answer in this book. Given the enthusiasm for gardens in human civilization ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, it is surprising that the question has been so long neglected by modern philosophy. Now at last there is a philosophy of gardens. Not only is this a fascinating subject in its own right, it also provides a reminder that the subject-matter of aesthetics is broader than the fine arts; that ethics is not just about moral issues but about 'the good life'; and that environmental philosophy should not focus only on 'wilderness' to the exclusion of the humanly shaped environment. David Cooper identifies garden appreciation as a special human phenomenon distinct from both from the appreciation of art and the appreciation of nature. He explores the importance of various 'garden-practices' and shows how not only gardening itself, but activities to which the garden especially lends itself, including social and meditative activities, contribute to the good life. And he distinguishes the many kinds of meanings that gardens may have, from representation of nature to emotional expression, from historical significance to symbolization of a spiritual relationship to the world. Building on the familiar observation that, among human beings' creations, the garden is peculiarly dependent on the co-operation of nature, Cooper argues that the garden matters as an epiphany of an intimate co-dependence between human creative activity in the world and the 'mystery' that allows there to be a world for them at all. A Philosophy of Gardens will open up this subject to students and scholars of aesthetics, ethics, and cultural and environmental studies, and to anyone with a reflective interest in things horticultural.
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Why do gardens matter so much and mean so much to people? Seeking an answer to this question, this book identifies garden appreciation as a special human phenomenon distinct from both the appreciation of art and the appreciation of nature. It discusses the contribution of gardening and other garden-related pursuits to 'the good life'.
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1. Taking Gardens Seriously ; 2. Art or Nature? ; 3. Art-and-Nature ; 4. Gardens, People, and Practices ; 5. Gardens and the Good Life ; 6. The Meaning of Gardens ; 7. The Garden as Epiphany ; 8. Conclusion: The Garden's Distinction
Les mer
Cooper's A Philosophy of the Garden is a fine and stimulating study that is highly accessible even for those foreign to the field of philosophy. The study nicely grasps the aesthetic distinctiveness of gardens in a way that demonstrates the ultimate inadequacy of such labels as 'nature ,' 'art', or even 'nature and art' - the garden stands on its own ground.
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`It is refreshing to find an author who unapologetically takes on the challenge of analyzing what is distinctive or irreducible in a realm of human experience, in this case the appreciation of gardens and engagement in the practice of gardening. His conclusions will surprise most readers, even those who love gardens or enjoy gardening, as he concludes that gardening is a practice that, if engaged in with an appropriate sensibility, embodies more saliently that any other practice the truth of the relation between human beings and their world. Cooper's thoughtful and engaging book is indeed A Philosophy of Gardens - his rather unique and stimulating way of conceptualizing how, carefully reflected upon, gardening practices and appreciation can engender an epiphany of sorts on the mysteries of existence.' Donald Crawford, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews `'intriguing'' Neville Hawcock, Financial Times Magazine
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Why do gardens matter to us? This book opens up a new subject Fascinating new insights into the significance of gardens for human beings Wide coverage of the aesthetics, ethics, and meaning of gardens Draws on Eastern and Continental philosophy, as well as Anglo-American Illustrated with examples of many different kinds of garden
Les mer
Why do gardens matter to us? This book opens up a new subject Fascinating new insights into the significance of gardens for human beings Wide coverage of the aesthetics, ethics, and meaning of gardens Draws on Eastern and Continental philosophy, as well as Anglo-American Illustrated with examples of many different kinds of garden
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199290345
Publisert
2006
Utgiver
Vendor
Clarendon Press
Vekt
323 gr
Høyde
211 mm
Bredde
142 mm
Dybde
21 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
184

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