In 'What Is Art?', Tolstoy argues that art is a means of communicating feelings to others, with the ultimate goal of uniting people in shared emotions. He rejects the traditional aesthetic view that art is based on beauty, instead emphasizing that true art must serve the progress and improvement of humanity. Tolstoy believes that art should be accessible to all people, not just the privileged, and that it should foster empathy and understanding. He criticizes art that is partisan or serves the interests of the ruling class, advocating for art that promotes universal values and social justice.
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
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This episode is a discussion of my favorite essay by Tolstoy, the contents of which factored heavily into my book (The Ritual Madness of Rock & Roll) as one of my major influences on the topic of aesthetics. Tolstoy poses the problem of art, the reason why art must justify itself. Criticizing the existing conceptions of art's value, he puts forward his own theory as to art as communicative, then attacks what he considers to be the self-absorbed art of the upper class and the counterfeit art that has captured European culture. Eventually, Tolstoy comes to the conclusion that true art is aimed at the Christian vision of the unification of man. This is the conclusion of the second leg of season five.
The Nietzsche Podcast 
