
Limits of Rightness
Michael Krausz(Author)
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published on 26. December 2000
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-0-7425-1168-2 (ISBN)
Description
Do cultural artifacts admit of only one single admissible interpretation? Or do they admit of several admissible interpretations? If so, do such multiple interpretations arise only in connection with the material world? And what is the relation between such ideals of interpretation and the ontology of their objects? In this searching book Krausz considers the conditions under which singularism obtains (where one and only one interpretation is admissible), the conditions under which multiplism obtains (where more than one interpretation is admissible), and, finally the conditions under which neither singularism nor multiplism obtain, hence the 'limits of rightness.' When considering the relation between interpretive ideals and the ontology of interpreted objects, Krausz explores and develops varieties of realism, constructivism, and constructive realism. Finally, Krausz extends the notions of singularism and mutliplism to directional life paths and projects. In the course of his treatment Krausz considers such diverse examples as the paintings of Anselm Kiefer, Cristo's Wrapped Reichstag, Indian burial rites, Hindu and Buddhist soteriologies, as well as middle-sized objects and sub-atomic particles. And he considers contributions of such thinkers as John Searle, Nelson Goodman, Rom Harre, Bernard Harrison and Patricial Hanna, Fritz Wallner, Hilary Putnam, Chhanda Gupta, Joseph Margolis, David Norton, and Martha Nussbaum.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important book. Anyone who worries about issues centering on realism and relativism will benefit from the precision and elegance with which Krausz lays out issues and the infrastructure of discussions of them. . . Anyone engaged by this topic will be enthralled by Limits of Rightness. -- Marcia Muelder Eaton * The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism * "This [ is a ] lucid, absorbing and important book." -- Nicholas Maxwell, University College, London "This sturdy, analytically acute book, plac[es] its reader in the hands of an expert guide through. . . intricate and engaging issues. . . . [It] will, for its sustained argumentative rigor, its broad significance, and intellectual vitality, prove essential to philosophers and cultural theorists of any persuasion." -- Gary Hagberg, Professor of Philosophy, Bard College "This book shows Michael Krausz at the height of his powers. Relentlessly focused on conceptions of interpretation. . . the argument is formidable but clear, and the writing is at times austerely beautiful. The book also provides a paradigmatic example of the way contemporary Anglo-American philosophy advances." -- William H. Dray, University of OttawaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
367 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7425-1168-2 (9780742511682)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michael Krausz is the Milton C. Nahm Professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at Bryn Mawr College.
Content
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Ideals of Interpretation:Singularism versus Multiplism Chapter 3 A Multiplist and an Example: Margolis and the Kiefer Paintings Chapter 4 That Which Is Interpreted Chapter 5 Realism and Constructivism Chapter 6 Toward a Constructive Realism Chapter 7 Constructive Realists (I): Harre Chapter 8 Constructive Realists (II): Harrison and Hanna, and Wallner Chapter 9 Constructive Realists (III): Putnam and Gupta Chapter 10 Constructive Realists (IV): Margolis Chapter 11 Questions about Indeterminacy and Identity Chapter 12 Aims of Interpretation Chapter 13 Two Soteriologies Chapter 14 Life Paths and Projects Chapter 15 Conclusion