[PDF] Kant’s aesthetic theory

Immanuel Kant’s CRITIQUE OF JUDGEMENT has experienced increasing attention in recent years, that attention centering especially Kant’s aesthetic theory. His work in this area, however–despite its richness in suggestive ideas–has long remained obscure and confusing to scholars. Now, Donald Crawford has answered the need for a careful and insightful exegesis, aided both scholars and students to a clearer understanding of one of Kant’s most important arguments. IN these pages, Crawford provides a thorough exposition of Kant’s transcendental deduction of the judgement of taste, dividing the argument into five stages, Typical in Crawford’s concise illumination is his drawing of the close connection between beauty and the good in Kant’s system, and the importance of this connection for justifying the element of universal obligation to agree that Kant finds to be imputed in the judgment of taste. In his analysis, Crawford traces Kant’s aesthetic theory to its roots in Kant’s other philosophical views (especially his epistemological thought) and he gives careful consideration to Kant as a formalist in aesthetics.