
In Defense of Sentimentality
Robert C. Solomon(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 9. September 2004
Book
Hardback
318 pages
978-0-19-514550-2 (ISBN)
Description
Philosophy has as much to do with feelings as it does with thoughts and thinking. Philosophy, accordingly, requires not only emotional sensitivity but an understanding of the emotions, not as curious but marginal psychological phenomena but as the very substance of life. In this, the second book in a series devoted to his work on the emotions, Robert Solomon presents a defense of the emotions and of sentimentality against the background of what he perceives as a long history of abuse in philosophy and social thought and art and literary criticism. The title piece reopens a classic debate about the role of sentimentality in art and literature. In subsequent chapters, Solomon discusses not only such "moral sentiments" as sympathy and compassion but also grief, gratitude, love, horror, and even vengeance. He also defends, with appropriate caution, the "seven deadly sins". The emotions--at least, some emotions--are essential to a well-lived life. They are or can be virtues, features of the human condition without which civilized life would be unimaginable.
Reviews / Votes
In Defense of Sentimentality is witty, funny and suprising and a great read for philosophers and non-philosophers alike. Having a sense of humor, says solomon, is divine. The way Solomon uses a sense of humor to come to the defense of emotions not always considered in need of defense, really is divine. * Gerda Wever-Rabehl, Simon Frazer University *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
666 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-514550-2 (9780195145502)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Robert C. Solomon
In Defense of Sentimentality
E-Book
08/2004
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€111.99
Available for download

Robert C. Solomon
In Defense of Sentimentality
E-Book
08/2004
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€111.99
Available for download
Person
Robert C. Solomon was Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy at University of Texas at Austin, and author of Living with Nietzsche, The Joy of Philosophy, In the Spirit of Hegel, From Hegel to Existentialism, Continental Philosophy Since 1750, among others.
Author
Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of PhilosophyQuincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas, Austin