Poetry, Beauty, and Contemplation: The Complete Aesthetics of Jacques Maritain

"A Thoroughly Engaging and intensive study of Maritain's philosophy of art, artwork, beauty, and contemplation. This work does justice to Maritain's depth as a philosopher. His rigor, erudition, and persuasiveness shine throughout John Trapani's exposition. The reader senses on every page that Trapani is a master of the subject, a sure guide to fresh insights and reflections on Maritain."---Curtis L. Hancock, Professor of Philosophy, Rockhurst University

"Could It Be that the World will be saved by beauty? Dostoevsky claimed as much. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn thought so, too. But what is a Thomist to think? John Trapani, in his welcome study of Jacques Maritain's aesthetics, helps us come to terms with Dostoevsky's question. Trapani shows that we can only make headway when we see that the primary analogate of aesthetic beauty, proportioned in so many creative modes to our experience, is the transcendental beauty that is the face of God."---James G. Hanink, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University

"In Search of a Language for the experience of beauty, poets, painters, and scholars continue to turn to the writings of Jacques Maritain. Those seekers now have a sure guide. Trapani's study of Maritain's aesthetics is clear, cogent, and comprehensive. We are in his debt."---Thomas Hibbs, Honors College Dean and Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Culture, Baylor University

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.