In this stimulating and still-timely study, Josef Pieper takes up a
theme of paramount importance to his thinking -- that festivals
belong by rights among the great topics of philosophical
discussion.
As he develops his theory of festivity, the modern age comes
under close and painful scrutiny. It is obvious that we no longer
know what festivity is, namely, the celebration of existence under
various symbols.
Pieper exposes the pseudo-festivals, in their harmless and their
sinister forms: traditional feasts contaminated by commercialism;
artificial holidays created in the interest of merchandisers;
holidays by coercion, decreed by dictators the world over;
festivals as military demonstrations; holidays empty of
significance. And lastly we are given the apocalyptic vision of a
nihilistic world which would seek its release not in festivities
but in destruction.
Formulated with Pieper's customary clarity and elegance,
enhanced by brilliantly chosen quotations, this is an illuminating
contribution to the understanding of traditional and contemporary
experience.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!