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by John G. Trapani Jr. (Author)
Twentieth-century French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain is arguably one of the most significant contemporary disciples of St. Thomas Aquinas. Maritain's philosophy is rooted in and logically consistent with the thought of his mentor, yet his philosophy is profoundly original. Taken together, his comprehensive metaphysical principles, his philosophy of human nature, and his insights on art and creativity combine to create a complete explanation of his aesthetics. Poetry, Beauty, and Contemplation provides a basic introduction to, and an extensive examination of, Maritain's philosophy of art and beauty. The book begins with a brief biographical sketch of Maritain's early years, including the early influences on his philosophy (Henri Bergson and Thomas Aquinas among them). The author explores key terms and ideas central to Maritain's aesthetics -- intuition, connaturality, Poetry, and beauty -- and traces their historical development. The book integrates the inherent relationship between Maritain's unique understanding of ""Poetry,"" his aesthetic and metaphysical ideas about beauty, and his explanation of the distinction between natural and supernatural contemplation, resulting in a complete exposition of Maritain's aesthetics.
Author Biography
John G. Trapani Jr. is professor of philosophy at Walsh University. During his 36 years at the university, he has served as chair of the Philosophy Department and Humanities Division and is the founder and director of the university's annual Philosophy-Theology Symposium, now in its 35th year. The current president of the American Maritain Association, John has written extensively on Maritain's philosophy and is editor of Truth Matters.
