In a silent way
I argue that silence is replete with aesthetic character and that it can be a rewarding object of aesthetic appreciation, assessment, and appraisal. The appreciation of silence might initially seem impossible, for, it might seem, there is nothing there to behold. Taking up this challenge, I attempt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Aesthetics & Culture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20004214.2020.1712764 |
| _version_ | 1818726298540834816 |
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| author | Erik Anderson |
| author_facet | Erik Anderson |
| author_sort | Erik Anderson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | I argue that silence is replete with aesthetic character and that it can be a rewarding object of aesthetic appreciation, assessment, and appraisal. The appreciation of silence might initially seem impossible, for, it might seem, there is nothing there to behold. Taking up this challenge, I attempt to dispel the sense of paradox. I contend that, despite our never actually experiencing absolute silence, there is much to enjoy in the silences that we do experience. I go on to argue that proper appreciation of silence is a two-way street, involving quiet on the outside and stillness on the inside. I conclude by offering some suggestions for how to make the aesthetic appreciation of silence part of a flourishing life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T21:55:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b371d85abe14b2191b9ac93d74c3942 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2000-4214 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T21:55:59Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Aesthetics & Culture |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b371d85abe14b2191b9ac93d74c39422022-12-21T21:31:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Aesthetics & Culture2000-42142020-01-0112110.1080/20004214.2020.17127641712764In a silent wayErik Anderson0Drew UniversityI argue that silence is replete with aesthetic character and that it can be a rewarding object of aesthetic appreciation, assessment, and appraisal. The appreciation of silence might initially seem impossible, for, it might seem, there is nothing there to behold. Taking up this challenge, I attempt to dispel the sense of paradox. I contend that, despite our never actually experiencing absolute silence, there is much to enjoy in the silences that we do experience. I go on to argue that proper appreciation of silence is a two-way street, involving quiet on the outside and stillness on the inside. I conclude by offering some suggestions for how to make the aesthetic appreciation of silence part of a flourishing life.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20004214.2020.1712764aestheticsappreciationjohn cageparadoxsoundscapesilencewittgenstein |
| spellingShingle | Erik Anderson In a silent way Journal of Aesthetics & Culture aesthetics appreciation john cage paradox soundscape silence wittgenstein |
| title | In a silent way |
| title_full | In a silent way |
| title_fullStr | In a silent way |
| title_full_unstemmed | In a silent way |
| title_short | In a silent way |
| title_sort | in a silent way |
| topic | aesthetics appreciation john cage paradox soundscape silence wittgenstein |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20004214.2020.1712764 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT erikanderson inasilentway |