Few musical works loom as large in Western culture as Richard Wagners four-part Ring of the Nibelung. In Finding an Ending; two eminent philosophers; Philip Kitcher and Richard Schacht; offer an illuminating look at this greatest of Wagners achievements; focusing on its far-reaching and subtle exploration of problems of meanings and endings in this life and world.Kitcher and Schacht plunge the reader into the heart of Wagners Ring; drawing out the philosophical and human significance of the text and the music. They show how different forms of love; freedom; heroism; authority; and judgment are explored and tested as it unfolds. As they journey across its sweeping musical-dramatic landscape; Kitcher and Schacht lead us to the central concern of the Ring--the problem of endowing life with genuine significance that can be enhanced rather than negated by its ending; if the right sort of ending can be found. The drama originates in Wotans quest for a transformation of the primordial state of things into a world in which life can be lived more meaningfully. The authors trace the evolution of Wotans efforts; the intricate problems he confronts; and his failures and defeats. But while the problem Wotan poses for himself proves to be insoluble as he conceives of it; they suggest that his very efforts and failures set the stage for the transformation of his problem; and for the only sort of resolution of it that may be humanly possible--to which it is not Siegfried but rather Br?nnhilde who shows the way.The Rings ending; with its passing of the gods above and destruction of the world below; might seem to be devastating; but Kitcher and Schacht see a kind of meaning in and through the ending revealed to us that is profoundly affirmative; and that has perhaps never been so powerfully and so beautifully expressed.
#1614345 in eBooks 2011-02-25 2011-02-25File Name: B004QWZQA2
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good buyBy AJReally helped me while studying for the LARE. Also refreshed me after being out of school for several years. I recommend for the Landscape Architects office library.21 of 21 people found the following review helpful. A great way to introduce detailingBy OLD VT LAR PROFBeginning and Beginning-Intermediate landscape architecture students seem to suffer (in varying degrees) in three areas. They often tend to see design as putting things in space rather than understanding basic principles of order. form and potential meaning. In addition. many of them have never built anything - and specifically not anything in the landscape. And. of course. they have a shallow well of experience in the designed landscape to draw from when in-forming their own work. Thus. there is a tendency for young designers to fixate on a superficial and objective image of a thing. Showering students with a barrage of good examples has some benefit in deepening the well. But. without also supply frameworks for examining and evaluating what they see. many students will remain stuck in the world of Taco Bell architecture.This book describes basic principles that must be considered in the creation of landscape construction details. These principles are illustrated with clear and simple hand drawn details (unfortunately a dying art.) The clear presentation of process and principles coupled with illustrations that place the emphasis on issues rather than on things make this a solid introductory text. I can foresee using this text as a basis for teaching students to critique canned details. Or. as a way of exploring why certain things look exactly like they do.If you are looking for reference material (e.g. detailed calculations of retaining walls. or strength charts for treated lumber) look elsewhere. Do the same if you want color photos of products from the ASLA Expo. If you are interested in how to think about designing details. start here for a direct and unencumbered introduction.
