In his book An Experiment in Criticism (1961), C. S. Lewis suggests that instead of judging a book by how it was written, we should judge it on the kind of reading it inspires. If readers are deepened, continually drawn back to the work, only to find they love it more and more, then it is a good book. If not, then it is merely a book fit for entertainment, not a true piece of art. On Lewis’ view, beauty is transcendent, but art is personal. What if this philosophy was extrapolated to encompass all art? And what is Lewis’ view on the importance of art? Is art something which helps develop us, or does it merely provide a kind of escape from reality?

Episode Notes

The featured oil on canvas is called Girl With the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675). It was painted in 1665.
The featured piece is Claire De Lune by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), a French neo-classical romantic composer. This is one of my favorite pieces of all time, from one of my favorite all-time composers.

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Aesthetics: C. S. Lewis on Judging & Enjoying Art (2/3)