In Response to Nicole (2/26/2012)

In Response to Nicole (2/26/2012)

After reading Nicole’s post regarding the importance of aesthetic value in literature in comparison with its importance in “philosophical texts”, I would say that I agree with the various statements made. The only statement that I found interesting and highly contentious was the claim that “philosophical texts” need to at least have some concern for aesthetic value.

“It is my view that philosophical essays cannot succeed without some aesthetic consideration. Prose which is distasteful will most likely not move the reader to understand what is being said.”

As far as I can see, a philosophical essay could succeed without any aesthetic consideration. However, it seems that we would first need to decide what is meant by succeed. I am guessing that we are talking about success in conveying truths, but it could mean success in a number of other dimensions. Assuming that we are talking about this type of success, I would say that the conveyance of truth can be achieved without any aesthetically related considerations. I am not denying that aesthetic value is an important aid in the process of conveying truths, however it does not seem required in the basic structure for conveying some sort of truths.