The Social Aesthetics of Human Environments

Critical Themes

Arnold Berleant (Long Island University, USA)

$59.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Bloomsbury Academic
20 March 2025

Philosophy: aesthetics; Ethics & moral philosophy; Social & political philosophy

Across these essays Arnold Berleant demonstrates how aesthetic values and theory can be used to reappraise our social practices. He tackles issues within the built environment, everyday life, and politics, breaking down the dichotomy between the natural and the human. His work represents a fresh approach to traditional philosophical questions in not only ethics, but in metaphysics, truth, meaning, psychology, phenomenology, and social and moral philosophy.

Topics covered include the cultural aesthetics of environment, ecological aesthetics, the aesthetics of terrorism, and the subversion of beauty. The corruption of taste by the forces of commercial interests as well as how aesthetics can advance our understanding of violence are also considered. Berleant’s exploration is supported by his analysis of 19th-century art to the present day, starting with impressionism through to postmodernism and contemporary artistic interventions.

By critically examining the field in this way and casting new light on social understanding and practice, this collection makes a substantive contribution in identifying and clarifying central human issues, guided by an understanding of aesthetic engagement as a powerful tool for social critique.

By: Arnold Berleant (Long Island University USA)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 320g
ISBN: 9781350349360
ISBN 10: 1350349364
Pages: 216
Publication Date: 20 March 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Arnold Berleant is Professor (Emeritus) of Philosophy at Long Island University, USA, and Past President of the International Association of Aesthetics.

Reviews for The Social Aesthetics of Human Environments: Critical Themes

"""Arnold Berleant has been a very prolific author for more than half a century, always exploring new possibilities for aesthetic research. In The Social Aesthetics of Human Environments, he proposes focusing upon ""aesthetic communities"" an order based on the character and quality of human relations, a novel angle worth pursuing."" --Katya Mandoki, Ph.D. National System of Researchers, Israel ""Remarkable in its prescience, Berleant's work on social aesthetics, aesthetic engagement, and negative aesthetics propels aesthetics toward a long overdue re-engagement with life and the world. His impressively wide-ranging discussion illuminates how aesthetics is at the core of our social existence and an instrument of democracy and human fulfillment."" --Yuriko Saito, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Rhode Island School of Design, USA ""The Social Aesthetics of Human Environments fascinatingly exposes the transformations of philosophical aesthetics and art since modernity until the present day, leading to their inclusiveness, and focus on participation, engagement, and experience. It presents a strong ethical and moral standing, having political value."" --Aleksandra Lukaszewicz, Professor in Culture and Religion Studies, The Polish Society of Aesthetics, Poland"