How Does Burke Explain Why We Get Delight From The Sublime? Be Sure To Quote From Burke’s (penguin Classic Edition) Text In Your Answer

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Introduction

In his influential work, "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful" (1757), Edmund Burke explores the concept of the sublime and its relationship to human emotions. Burke's theory on the sublime is centered around the idea that it evokes feelings of awe, wonder, and even fear, which ultimately lead to a sense of delight. In this article, we will delve into Burke's explanation of why we get delight from the sublime, examining key quotes from his text and exploring the implications of his theory.

The Sublime and the Beautiful

Burke begins his inquiry by distinguishing between the sublime and the beautiful. He argues that the beautiful is associated with pleasure, harmony, and proportion, while the sublime is characterized by a sense of power, energy, and even terror. Burke writes:

"The passion caused by the great and the sublime in this way mingling with our sense of pain, and supervening upon, or accompanying it, is distinct from pain, and is attended with a sense of delight." (Burke, 1757, p. 58)

Here, Burke highlights the paradoxical nature of the sublime, which combines pain and pleasure to create a unique emotional experience.

The Role of Fear in the Sublime

Burke suggests that fear plays a crucial role in the experience of the sublime. He argues that fear is a natural response to the unknown or the uncontrollable, and that it is this fear that creates a sense of awe and wonder. Burke writes:

"The passion caused by the great and the sublime in this way mingling with our sense of pain, and supervening upon, or accompanying it, is distinct from pain, and is attended with a sense of delight. This passion, therefore, is strong in proportion to the strangeness, or rather to the obscurity of the cause." (Burke, 1757, p. 59)

In this passage, Burke emphasizes the importance of the unknown or the obscure in creating a sense of fear, which in turn leads to a sense of delight.

The Power of the Sublime

Burke argues that the sublime is associated with a sense of power, which can be both creative and destructive. He suggests that the sublime is a manifestation of the natural world's power and energy, which can evoke feelings of awe and wonder. Burke writes:

"The power of the human mind is not sufficient to comprehend the vast and boundless extent of the universe; and the imagination, in its efforts to conceive it, is lost in the boundless and infinite." (Burke, 1757, p. 63)

Here, Burke highlights the limitations of human understanding and the importance of the sublime in conveying the vastness and complexity of the natural world.

The Relationship Between the Sublime and Delight

Burke's theory on the sublime is centered around the idea that it evokes feelings of delight, despite its association with pain and fear. He argues that the sublime creates a sense of pleasure through its ability to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Burke writes:

"The passion caused by the great and the sublime in this way mingling with our sense of pain, and supervening upon, or accompanying it, is distinct from pain, and is attended with a sense of delight. This passion, therefore, is strong in proportion to the strangeness, or rather to the obscurity of the cause." (Burke, 1757, p. 59)

In this passage, Burke emphasizes the importance of the sublime in creating a sense of delight, which is distinct from pain and fear.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Burke's explanation of why we get delight from the sublime is centered around the idea that it evokes feelings of awe, wonder, and even fear. He argues that the sublime is associated with a sense of power, energy, and even terror, which ultimately leads to a sense of delight. Through his theory, Burke highlights the importance of the sublime in conveying the vastness and complexity of the natural world, and its ability to evoke feelings of pleasure and delight.

References

Burke, E. (1757). A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful. Penguin Classics.

Further Reading

For further reading on Burke's theory on the sublime, I recommend:

  • Kant, I. (1790). Critique of Judgment. Cambridge University Press.
  • Schopenhauer, A. (1819). The World as Will and Representation. Dover Publications.
  • Fry, N. (1981). The Art of the Sublime. Routledge.

These works provide a deeper understanding of the sublime and its relationship to human emotions, and offer a range of perspectives on Burke's theory.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored Edmund Burke's theory on the sublime and its relationship to human emotions. Burke's work, "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful" (1757), is a foundational text in the study of aesthetics and the sublime. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Burke's theory and the sublime.

Q: What is the sublime?

A: The sublime is a term used to describe a feeling of awe, wonder, or even fear that is evoked by something that is perceived as powerful, energetic, or even terrifying. Burke argues that the sublime is a unique emotional experience that combines pain and pleasure to create a sense of delight.

Q: What is the difference between the sublime and the beautiful?

A: Burke argues that the beautiful is associated with pleasure, harmony, and proportion, while the sublime is characterized by a sense of power, energy, and even terror. The beautiful is often associated with the natural world in its more tranquil and peaceful forms, while the sublime is associated with the natural world in its more powerful and awe-inspiring forms.

Q: Why do we experience fear in the presence of the sublime?

A: Burke argues that fear is a natural response to the unknown or the uncontrollable. When we encounter something that is perceived as powerful or awe-inspiring, our natural response is to feel fear. However, this fear is not a negative emotion, but rather a precursor to a sense of delight.

Q: How does the sublime create a sense of delight?

A: Burke argues that the sublime creates a sense of delight by evoking a sense of awe and wonder. When we experience the sublime, we are forced to confront the limits of our understanding and the power of the natural world. This confrontation can be both terrifying and exhilarating, and it is this sense of exhilaration that creates a sense of delight.

Q: Can the sublime be found in art?

A: Yes, the sublime can be found in art. Burke argues that art can be a powerful medium for evoking the sublime, particularly in the form of landscape painting. However, the sublime is not limited to art; it can be found in a wide range of experiences, from the natural world to music and literature.

Q: Is the sublime a universal experience?

A: Burke argues that the sublime is a universal experience that can be found across cultures and time. However, the way in which we experience the sublime can vary greatly depending on our individual perspectives and cultural backgrounds.

Q: How can we experience the sublime in our daily lives?

A: Burke argues that we can experience the sublime in a wide range of experiences, from the natural world to art and literature. We can also experience the sublime in our daily lives by seeking out new and challenging experiences, such as traveling to new places or trying new activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sublime is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been explored by philosophers and artists for centuries. Burke's theory on the sublime provides a rich and nuanced understanding of this concept, and highlights the importance of the sublime in our emotional and aesthetic experiences.

References

Burke, E. (1757). A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful. Penguin Classics.

Further Reading

For further reading on Burke's theory on the sublime, I recommend:

  • Kant, I. (1790). Critique of Judgment. Cambridge University Press.
  • Schopenhauer, A. (1819). The World as Will and Representation. Dover Publications.
  • Fry, N. (1981). The Art of the Sublime. Routledge.

These works provide a deeper understanding of the sublime and its relationship to human emotions, and offer a range of perspectives on Burke's theory.