Theories of Ugliness

A cursory review of Western Aesthetics reveals that Beauty has received far more philosophical attention than Ugliness, its supposed opposite. But as Mark Roche amply demonstrates in his book Theories of Ugliness, a history of the concept of unrivaled comprehensiveness, it has been a recurring topic of discussion since the time of Plato and Aristotle and continuing into the present. Prof. Roche’s history is not only encyclopedic in scope; it is critical both in the sense that it locates with great clarity the weaknesses in myriad theories but also it underlines their continuing insights. This culminates in the presentation of his own sophisticated contribution to the field. In effect, Prof. Roche has provided aestheticians with a foundation for an invigorated exploration of the concept of ugliness by outlining its lineage and advancing a viewpoint that is sure to stimulate lively exchange. In short, Theories of Ugliness is an indispensable text for anyone wishing to join that conversation. * Noel Carroll, Philosophy Program, The City University of New York, USA * Beautifully written about an ugly subject, exhaustive in its historical scope, and lucid in its systematic analysis, this book explores the concept of ugliness. By introducing a number of innovative concepts, Roche reminds us that the ugly needs to be understood both in opposition to and in complementarity with the beautiful. This is a must-read for everyone interested in modern aesthetics as well as popular culture. * Dmitri Nikulin, The New School for Social Research, New York, USA *