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Sincerity: How a moral ideal born five hundred years ago inspired religious wars, modern art, hipster chic, and the curious notion that we ALL have something to say (no matter how dull)

Sincerity: How a moral ideal born five hundred years ago inspired religious wars, modern art, hipster chic, and the curious notion that we ALL have something to say (no matter how dull)

R. Jay Magill, Jr.

9780393080988

Norton


Social & cultural history; Philosophy; Philosophy of religion

Hardback

272 pages

$32.95  $29.65

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People have long been duped by straight-talking politicians, confessional talk-show hosts, and fake-earnest advertisers. As sincerity has become suspect, the upright and honest have taken refuge in irony. Yet our struggle for authenticity in back-to-the-woods movements, folksy songwriting, and a craving for plainspoken presidential candidates betrays our longing for the holy grail of sincerity. Bringing deep historical perspective and a brilliant contemporary spin to Lionel Trilling 's 1972 Sincerity and Authenticity, R. Jay Magill Jr. argues that we can t shake sincerity 's deep theological past, emotional resonance, and the sense of conscience it has carved in the Western soul. From Protestant theology to paintings by crazy people, from French satire to the anti-hipster movement, Magill navigates history, religion, art, and politics to create a portrait of an ideal that, despite its abuse, remains a strange magnetic north in our secular moral compass.

By:   R. Jay Magill Jr.
Imprint:   Norton
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 23mm,  Width: 211mm,  Spine: 144mm
Weight:   436g
ISBN:  

9780393080988


ISBN 10:   0393080986
Pages:   272
Publication Date:   September 2012
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock   Availability explained
Our supplier is currently out of stock. You can order it and we will ship it to you upon arrival.


Sincerity is a serious and engaging cultural history painted on an admirably large canvas, yet Magill is careful not to take himself too seriously, as evidenced in his snarky asides and chatty footnotes. He wraps up on an eminently reasonable note: society needs both sincerity and insincerity. You can't go too far in either direction: neither the frothy superficiality of court society nor the deadly purposefulness of the French Revolution. Who can argue with that --Laura Kipnis


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