Abstract

In this chapter, Louden focuses primarily on Schiller’s rich but elusive concept of aesthetic education, in an attempt to answer the following key questions: Why does Schiller place so much weight on aesthetic education? What exactly does he think it will accomplish, and why is it so important to him? Finally, what exactly does Schiller mean by “aesthetic education?” In elucidating Schiller’s position on aesthetic education, Louden also responds to two important criticisms of his account; viz.: (1) Is it circular? (2) Won’t aesthetic education be crushed by the tremendous weight that Schiller places on it? How can aesthetic education possibly achieve all of the ambitious goals that he claims flow out of it?