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Single Idea 20386

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 6. The Sublime]

Full Idea

An example of the sublime is the vastness of the night sky. ...It includes negative feelings of insignificance in the face of nature's indifference, power and magnitude, but is positive in that we are capable of comprehending such matters.

Gist of Idea

The sublime is negative in awareness of insignificance, and positive in showing understanding

Source

Stephen Davies (The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed) [2016], 1.2)

A Reaction

The negative part seems to be a very intellectual experience, with close links to religion, and may be the experience that leads to deism (belief in God's indifference).

Book Reference

Davies,Stephen: 'The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed)' [Wiley Blackwell 2016], p.7