Three Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe, critical edition, Volume 8: Volume VIII

by George Santayana, Kellie Dawson (Editor), David E. Spiech (Editor), James Seaton (Introduction)

Overview

Santayana's argument for the unity of philosophy and poetry.

This concise and compelling volume—described by Santayana as a “piece of literary criticism, together with a first broad lesson in the history of philosophy”—introduces Santayana's thought in the rich context of a European poetic tradition that demonstrates his broad conception of philosophy. Rejecting both the Platonic opposition of philosophy and poetry and more recent attempts to reduce philosophy to science, Santayana argues that philosophy and poetry at their best are united in articulating a comprehensive vision of the world that permits honest contemplation of the universe. He considers the ideal visions of three artists: Lucretius's naturalism provides a total perspective on the physical world but renders experience monotonous; Dante's supernaturalism provides a total perspective on experience but subordinates nature to morality; Goethe's romanticism provides a dramatic perspective on nature and experience but lacks totality. Santayana sees each as the best in his own way, though none is best in all ways; and he speculates that the ideal poet would integrate the gifts and insights of all three, resulting in “rational art,” of which philosophical poetry is a prime example.

This critical edition, volume VIII of The Works of George Santayana, includes notes, textual commentary, lists of variants and emendations, an index, and other tools useful to Santayana scholars.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262551823
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	04/09/2024
Series:	The Works of George Santayana
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

George Santayana (1863–1952) was a philosopher, poet, critic, and novelist. The MIT Press has published The Letters of George Santayana in eight books and The Life of Reason in five books.

David E. Spiech has worked in commercial and academic publishing since 1999. Since 2003 he has been on the staff of the Santayana Edition at the Institute for American Thought, helping to produce the critical edition of The Works of George Santayana.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction James Seaton xi

Preface to the first edition xxxiii

Table of Contents based on Harvard University Press first edition (1910) xxxv

Introduction and Three Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe critical edition text 3

Appendix Chronology 131

Editorial Appendix

Explanation of the Editorial Appendix 137

Editorial Sigla and Symbols 139

Standard Reference Bibliography 141

Notes to the Text 147

Textual Record

Textual Commentary 201

Discussions of Adopted Readings 215

List of Emendations 217

Report of Line-End Hyphenation 219

List of Variants 221

Index 233