Intended for scholars in the fields of philosophy; history of science and music; this book examines the legacy of the historical coincidence of the emergence of science and opera in the early modern period. But instead of regarding them as finished products or examining their genesis; or `common ground; or `parallel ideas; opera and science are explored by a phenomenology of the formulations of consciousness (Gurwitsch) as compossible tasks to be accomplished in common (Schutz) which share an ideal possibility or `essence (Husserl). Although the ideas of Galileo and Monteverdi form the parameters of the domain of phenomenological clarification; the scope of discussion extends from Classical ideas of science and music down to the beginning of the nineteenth century; but always with reference to the experience of sharing the sociality of a common world from which they are drawn (Plessner) and to which those ideas have given shape; meaning and even substance. At the same time; this approach provides a non-historicist alternative to understanding the arts and science of the modern period by critically clarifying the idea of whether their compossibility can rest on any other formulation of consciousness.
#54471 in eBooks 2014-11-04 2014-11-04File Name: B00HU5KLPW
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Will be considered a classic by future generationBy Maxime LachanceJames Jasper offers one of the best books available on social movements. In "The Art of Moral Protest" it is mostly the cultural and emotional sides of social movements which is explored leaving aside the more traditional structural accounts of social movement theory. Jasper emphasize principally 4 dimensions of protest: culture; resources; strategies and biographies and divide movements into two categories: citizenship movements and post-citizenship movements. Interestingly however; the structure of the book do not follow these main dimensions and categories but propose a kind of linear logic of movements evolution from the emotion (moral shock) which send people into action to the creation of a movement culture which help sustain participation to the relation between movements and the broader culture in which they evolve and try to change. An interesting last part deal with the authors own "normative view" of social movements exploring the pleasures associated with movement participation; the danger sometimes embodied in social movement (particularly those who harbour totalizing ideologies) but also the necessity of protest for our societies. The book is full of stories and historical details which help make sense of the arguments developed in the book and keep this theoretical book as interesting as a novel.If I had to teach a course on social movements; I would probably chose two books for my students to read. The first one would be "Power in Movement" from Tarrow and the second one would be "The Art of Moral Protest". Many excellent books have been written on social movements but very few complement each other as well as these two books. They present the two current main branches of social movement studies.If I had to find a few problems with the book it would be related to the reference system adopted. By placing all references and notes at the end of the book; the more interested reader easily get lost. It might sound silly at first; but since the book is quite thick it becomes quite annoying with time... especially when you are thrilled by the reading but still want to get that extra detail hidden at the end of the book.19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. A Pathbreaking BookBy J. GoodwinJames Jaspers "The Art of Moral Protest" is one of the most important recent contributions to the scholarly literature on social movements and political and moral protest. The books title signifies two important ideas. First; Jasper wants to restore the moral dimension to political protest; which of late has been reduced by many scholars to the calculated pursuit of material interests. Second; the book stresses the "artful" nature of protest; the fact; that is; that protest doesnt simply arise in some mechanical fashion from "structural" preconditions; but involves choices and improvisation by thinking (and feeling) individuals. Indeed; Jasper wants to reintegrate feelings and emotions; which scholars have studiously avoided in recent years; back into our understanding of moral protest. And he emphasizes how specific individuals with specific biographies (who; again; have been largely purged from the scholarly literature) matter for protest. The book weaves a powerful critique of dominant ways of thinking about protest through a series of fascinating studies of several movements and movement participants. In sum; this is an extremely important and pathbreaking book. It should be read by anyone with an interest in politics; social movements; or protest.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Still the best book on social movementsBy Michael YoungI use this book every year in my social movement class at the University of Texas at Austin. It provides an excellent overview of the social movement literature through the mid-1990s. More importantly; it provides a pathbreaking theoretical approach to social protest with rich empirical evidence.My students are also very high on the book. It is a must read for all students of social movements.
