Philosophy of the performing arts /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Davies, David, 1949- author
Imprint:Malden : Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
Description:1 online resource.
Language:English
Series:Foundations of the philosophy of the arts
Subject:Performing arts -- Philosophy.
Performing arts -- Philosophy.
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/8434554
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:1444343459 (electronic bk.)
9781444343458 (electronic bk.)
Notes:Description based on print version record.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Other form:Original 9781405188029 1405188022 9781405188036 1405188030
Review by Choice Review

Philosophy of the Performing Arts is a careful and detailed study in analytic philosophical aesthetics. Davies (McGill Univ.) focuses on specific themes that he began to address in Art as Performance (CH, Jul'04, 41-6446). There, Davies gave a definition of art in terms of the events surrounding the making of artworks; here he homes in on performance artworks in particular. He carefully and skillfully examines music, dance, theater, and literature, though music gets the lion's share of the attention. Engaging other notable philosophers of aesthetics, such as Levinson, Goodman, Kivy, and Wollheim, the author locates his relatively novel views of art in the context of these other more traditional theorists. This is a challenging read both intellectually and simply as prose. Davies's enthusiasm and erudition shine through the sometimes intricate metaphysical heavy lifting. Though undergraduates may have a tough time with the level of detail, this is an important contribution to the ontology and appreciation of the performing arts debates. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students through professional/practitioners. P. Jenkins Marywood University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review