Pali – Diversity Reading List

Coomaraswamy, Ananda K.. Samvega, ‘Aesthetic Shock’

1943, Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 7(3): 174-179.

Topics: Aesthetic Experience and Judgement; Aesthetic Normativity and Value; Metaphysics of Aesthetics
Keywords: India; Indian aesthetics; aesthetic experience; art; contemplation; disinterest; emotion

Traditions: Comparative/Intercultural; Cultural; Historical; South Asian
Languages: English; Pali

Expand entry: Added by: Meilin Chinn

Summary: An explication of the Pali aesthetic term samvega as the state of shock and wonder at a work of art that occurs when the implications of its aesthetic qualities are experienced. Despite being an emotion, Coomaraswamy associates samvega with disinterested aesthetic contemplation.

Comment: This text would work well in a focused study of Indian aesthetics, as well in a cross-cultural study of disinterest in aesthetics.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Recommended use: Specialised reading

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