Kant's Theory of Taste

'Kant's Theory of Taste is a well produced volume usefully equipped at the end with a compendious bibliography.' Mind ...an important and original contribution to the study of Kant's aesthetic theory. ...essential reading for anyone who hopes to make a further contribution to the subject, as well as a valuable companion for readers approaching Kant's aesthetics for the first time. Inquiry This commentary on the 'Critique of Aethetic Judgment,' the first half of Kant's ^Critique of Judgement, has four parts.... The final part examines Kant's claim that a beautiful work of art must both seem like nature and be recognized as art. Choice In his discussion of the sublime, as well as at many other places, a certain virtue of Allison's style becomes apparent. He often reads Kant's arguments in their appropriate contexts. By carefully, skillfully, and convincingly exhibiting the different interests and aspects that Kant had in mind in different particular passages, Allison explains how such passages fthat seem to contradict one another, in fact do not. For this reason, as well as for the breadth of material covered, Allison's efforts are nothing short of commendable. Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews Since the structure of this section of the book closely follows Kant's own text, Allison's analysis can be used as a commentary, but its real value is in the originial interpretation he offers.... it will appeal to a diverse group, from specialists and students of aesthetics to the philosophically minded artist.... Anyone engaged in studies of Kant's theoretical, moral, or aesthetic philosophy will find much to be excited about. Philosophy in Review Allison's book is a major contibution to the already rich secondary material on Kant.... His book is indispensable for readers of Kant who wish to understand the third Critique from the inside. The Wordsworth Circle Kant's scholarship in all its aspects is a very healthy field in which much excellent and original work is being done. The writings of Henry Allison constitute a significant part of this excellence, and in that respect this book is entirely of a piece with his other influential work on this most influential of modern philosophers. - Allen B. Wood, Stanford University