Abstract Objects, Ideal Forms, and Works of Art

About the Book

Joining philosophy of language with phenomenological aesthetics, this book defines the epistemological status of abstract objects and works of art.

Beginning with a provocative conversation between Socrates, Plato, Wittgenstein, and Jung, the book introduces the concept, and coins the term, "Platonic Inductive Fallacy," deriving from a cycle of language games. The author then invokes Robert Stalnaker to clarify the difference between real and actual objects, which gives new insight into the epistemology of abstract objects.

Armed with defined abstract objects, the reader is taken through a fascinating journey from 1890s aestheticism to present-day phenomenological aesthetics. The book clearly establishes principles and methods for defining works of art, and applies them to two versions of a Henry James novella. The clear definitions and inventive methods, supported with impressive, detailed research, lead to compelling and well-taken conclusions.

This journey pays off with important and exciting results.

About the Author

Robert Rose-Coutré is a member of Colloquy Society, OATHS, and MENSA. He is a published novelist, and editor for scholarly, arts, legal, and software publications. He has an MA in literature and aesthetic theory with additional graduate studies in the philosophy of language. Rose-Coutré studied analytical philosophy under Professors Jaakko Hintikka and Russell Dancy, and German Idealism and phenomenology under Professor William H. Werkmeister.