The Language of Criticism (Routledge Revivals)
1st Edition
Published on 26. July 2012
218 pages
978-1-136-73683-4 (ISBN)
Description
First published in 1966, the Language of Criticism was the first systematic attempt to understand literary criticism through the methods of linguistic philosophy and the later work of Wittgenstein. Literary critical and aesthetic judgements are rational, but are not to be explained by scientific methods. Criticism discovers reasons for a response, rather than causes, and is a rational procedure, rather than the expression of simply subjective taste, or of ideology, or of the power relations of society.
The book aims at a philosophical justification of the tradition of practical criticism that runs from Matthew Arnold, through T.S.Eliot to I.A.Richards, William Empson, F.R.Leavis and the American New Critics. It argues that the close reading of texts moves justifiably from text to world, from aesthetic to ethical valuation. In this it differs radically from the schools of "theory" that have recently dominated the humanities.
The book aims at a philosophical justification of the tradition of practical criticism that runs from Matthew Arnold, through T.S.Eliot to I.A.Richards, William Empson, F.R.Leavis and the American New Critics. It argues that the close reading of texts moves justifiably from text to world, from aesthetic to ethical valuation. In this it differs radically from the schools of "theory" that have recently dominated the humanities.
Reviews / Votes
'Provided this gets clearance from the philosophers, we shall at last have a compact, cogent and humane justification of criticism as a rational process.' - Christopher Ricks, New Statesman'Mr Casey has written a highly intelligent, instructive, mind-stretching book.' - David Lodge, Critical Quarterly
'Literary critics will dislike Mr Casey's book for the clarity with which principles are discussed: it is all the more to be welcomed.' - Peter Jones, Philosophy
'Casey's argument is subtle and detailed, and it is one that anyone interested in critical theory should read.' - Colin Falck, The Review
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
3,44 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-136-73683-4 (9781136736834)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€60.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
04/2011
1st Edition
Routledge
€232.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Casey, John
Content
1. Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Criticism 2. Values 3. Art and Feeling 1 - Some Aestheticians 4. Art and Feeling 2 - T. S. Elliot 5. Style and Feeling: Middleton Murray 6. Reason Defended: Yvor Winters and the Nature of Criticism 7. A 'Science' of Criticim: Northrop Frye 8. Object, Feeling and Judgement: F. R. Leavis 9. Art and Morality
