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A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1756

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Book Brief

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Edmund Burke

A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1756
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1750s

Publication Year

1756

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful by Edmund Burke examines the concepts of the sublime and beautiful in relation to aesthetics, arguing that beauty stems from qualities like smoothness and delicacy, while the sublime evokes awe and terror, linked to vastness and obscurity. Burke explores the interplay of sensory experiences, pain, and pleasure in shaping human taste and aesthetic appreciation.

Contemplative

Informative

Mysterious

Serene

Reviews & Readership

4.1

2,501 ratings

59%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Edmund Burke's A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful offers nuanced insights into aesthetics, influencing both philosophy and literature. Praised for its detailed analysis and accessible prose, criticisms note occasional repetitiveness and dated perspectives. Overall, it remains a seminal work in aesthetic theory.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful?

Readers who enjoy works exploring aesthetics, like Immanuel Kant's Critique of Judgment or David Hume's Of the Standard of Taste, will be captivated by Edmund Burke's A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful. Ideal for those passionate about philosophy, art theory, and the nature of beauty.

4.1

2,501 ratings

59%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1750s

Publication Year

1756

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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