Head Cases

Julia Kristeva on Philosophy and Art in Depressed Times

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, European
Cover of the book Head Cases by Elaine Miller, Columbia University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elaine Miller ISBN: 9780231537117
Publisher: Columbia University Press Publication: February 25, 2014
Imprint: Columbia University Press Language: English
Author: Elaine Miller
ISBN: 9780231537117
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication: February 25, 2014
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Language: English

While philosophy and psychoanalysis privilege language and conceptual distinctions and mistrust the image, the philosopher and psychoanalyst Julia Kristeva recognizes the power of art and the imagination to unblock important sources of meaning. She also appreciates the process through which creative acts counteract and transform feelings of violence and depression.

Reviewing Kristeva's corpus, Elaine P. Miller considers the intellectual's "aesthetic idea" and "thought specular" in their capacity to reshape depressive thought on both the individual and cultural level. She revisits Kristeva's reading of Walter Benjamin with reference to melancholic art and the imagination's allegorical structure; her analysis of Byzantine iconoclasm in relation to Freud's psychoanalytic theory of negation and Hegel's dialectical negativity; her understanding of Proust as an exemplary practitioner of sublimation; her rereading of Kant and Arendt in terms of art as an intentional lingering with foreignness; and her argument that forgiveness is both a philosophical and psychoanalytic method of transcending a "stuck" existence. Focusing on specific artworks that illustrate Kristeva's ideas, from ancient Greek tragedy to early photography, contemporary installation art, and film, Miller positions creative acts as a form of "spiritual inoculation" against the violence of our society and its discouragement of thought and reflection.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

While philosophy and psychoanalysis privilege language and conceptual distinctions and mistrust the image, the philosopher and psychoanalyst Julia Kristeva recognizes the power of art and the imagination to unblock important sources of meaning. She also appreciates the process through which creative acts counteract and transform feelings of violence and depression.

Reviewing Kristeva's corpus, Elaine P. Miller considers the intellectual's "aesthetic idea" and "thought specular" in their capacity to reshape depressive thought on both the individual and cultural level. She revisits Kristeva's reading of Walter Benjamin with reference to melancholic art and the imagination's allegorical structure; her analysis of Byzantine iconoclasm in relation to Freud's psychoanalytic theory of negation and Hegel's dialectical negativity; her understanding of Proust as an exemplary practitioner of sublimation; her rereading of Kant and Arendt in terms of art as an intentional lingering with foreignness; and her argument that forgiveness is both a philosophical and psychoanalytic method of transcending a "stuck" existence. Focusing on specific artworks that illustrate Kristeva's ideas, from ancient Greek tragedy to early photography, contemporary installation art, and film, Miller positions creative acts as a form of "spiritual inoculation" against the violence of our society and its discouragement of thought and reflection.

More books from Columbia University Press

Cover of the book The Blade Runner Experience by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Globalization Challenged by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Local Actions by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Continental Strangers by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Pomodoro! by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Coming Out, Coming Home by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Brevity by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Ethnic Americans by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book The Future of Us by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book The Heist Film by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book A Political Economy of the Senses by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book A Dharma Reader by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book From Resilience to Revolution by Elaine Miller
Cover of the book Gastropolis by Elaine Miller
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy