Summary of various æsthetic theories and definitions, from Baumgarten to to-day 20
Definitions of art founded on beauty—Taste not definable—A clear definition needed to enable us to recognise works of art 38
Definitions not founded on beauty—Tolstoy’s definition—The extent and necessity of art—How people in the past have distinguished good from bad in art 46
How art for pleasure has come into esteem—Religions indicate what is considered good and bad—Church Christianity—The Renaissance—Scepticism of the upper classes—They confound beauty with goodness 53
An æsthetic theory framed to suit this view of life 61