Democracy as the Genius's Kiss: Art and Democracy in Thomas Mann's Essayistic Works

Keywords

No Thumbnail Available

Issue Date

2018-08-28

Language

en

Document type

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Title

ISSN

Volume

Issue

Startpage

Endpage

DOI

Abstract

In his essays, Thomas Mann proposed contrasting ideas on democracy, art, and politics. At times, Mann’s conceptions of art, and democracy even contradict one another. The hypothesis of this article, however, is that there is a transcending conception of democracy in Mann’s thought. By interpreting and assessing Mann’s essays on democracy this core conception is extrapolated. Fundamental for his conception of democracy, I believe, is his position as an artist. In discussing Mann’s reflections on his role as an artist, I will show that it is specifically the democratic idea of cultural elevation by means of education [Bildung] which defines his artistry and, consequently, his conception of democracy.

Description

Citation

Faculty

Faculteit der Filosofie, Theologie en Religiewetenschappen