Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2024

Major

Philosophy (B.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Finbarr Curtis

Abstract

This thesis addresses George Santayana’s theories of art and religion in the context of turn-of-the-century religious thought and introduces the concept of the mythologization of religion. Santayana, the Spanish-American turn-of-the-century philosopher, poet, and novelist, took a naturalist, pragmatist, and religious non-realist approach to understanding the world that prompted works regarding the nature of art, The Sense of Beauty (1896), and the nature of religion, Interpretations of Poetry and Religion (1900). Within these two works, Santayana proposes a theory of aesthetics and a theory of religion that seem to function in tandem with each other. According to his theories, art, particularly poetry, is a creative endeavor of human expression that supervenes upon one’s life. While religion finds its origin in poetry, its moral ideals cause it to have a greater effect and act as an intervening force. Some critics claim that his view demythologizes religion, but I argue that Santayana does the opposite. By emphasizing the necessity of aesthetics, his theory mythologizes religion. This thesis addresses the context of the turn of the century, analyzes Santayana’s theories of art and religion as aesthetic, and proposes an understanding of the results of these views as a mythologization of religion.

Thesis Summary

This thesis addresses the context of the turn of the century, analyzes George Santayana’s theories of art and religion as aesthetic, and proposes an understanding of the results of these views as a mythologization of religion.

Download

Share

COinS