“Negative Capability” is a concept coined by the Romantic poet John Keats, as put down in a letter his brothers1, discussed and interpreted by scholars over and over again. On one hand it provides a desirable quality every poet should be in possession of, on the other hand it is to hold the almost presumptuous ability to solve - alongside imagination- the huge epistemological challenges of subject- object- relation and the constitution of reality. Even though Keats himself didn’t write any explicit work on his literary theory or poetical concept, his approach to poetry and its aesthetic function can be traced back in his poems and letters. There he openly addresses his attitudes as they are also expressed, sometimes between the lines, throughout his poetry. Only it seems that Keats changed his notions and ideas at times, some of his convictions can rather be seen as temporary spots of light in the ongoing process of the pursuit of knowledge than a real enlightenment. This actually mirrors Keats’s statement s about the acquisition of knowledge in a very precise way; that this whole task was enveloped in fuzz and uncertainty, where truth appeared in sparks of epiphany but could never be considered full and complete, absolute knowledge. It is thus enclosed in a developing process that leads ever higher and forwards to a state of further and deeper understanding. In this paper I am going to approach Keats’s ways and convictions in the search for knowledge and will take up the challenge of placing him in regard to his epistemology and closely related aesthetic theory. First of all I am going to work out in how far Keats can be understood as an heir of his time. How was he to understand and write about a world that had just been shaken by hopes and disappointments of the French Revolution that brought about a whole new concept of liberty, rights of the individual and anti- dogmatism? I will also show how his scepticism is a direct reaction to and consequent continuation of Enlightenment that worshipped the idealized intellect and reason. When considering the socio- cultural context in which Keats grew up, I hold it important to touch upon the philosophical theories of his time; mainly German Idealism had a great impact of thought in theses decades, whether Keats had read them (which can be doubted2) and had been conscious of their influence or not.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Keats and his Socio- Historical Context
- The Heritage of Enlightenment
- Philosophical Zeitgeist and German Idealism
- Empiricism and Rationalism
- Reconciliation in German Idealism
- Foundation of Aesthetics as Scientific Discipline
- Approach to Keats's Epistemology
- Scepticism and Pursuit of Knowledge
- Keats's 'Religion' of Beauty
- Imagination and Negative Capability as Medium for Synthesis
- Keats's Theory of Art and his Poems
- Holistic harmony as Programmatic Concept
- Keats and holistic art tradition- excurse to Surrealism
- The Function of Poesy- \"Sleep and Poetry\"
- Holistic harmony as Programmatic Concept
- Limitations, Ambiguities and Inconsistencies of Keats's Concept
- Metaphysically Complemented Empiricism
- The Concept of Beauty as 'Accidental Truth'
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to examine John Keats's epistemology and aesthetic theory through the lens of his poetry and letters. It explores how Keats's ideas about knowledge and beauty were shaped by the socio-historical context of the Romantic era, particularly the impact of the Enlightenment and German Idealism.
- Keats's conception of "Negative Capability" and its role in the pursuit of knowledge.
- The influence of the Enlightenment and German Idealism on Keats's understanding of reason, scepticism, and beauty.
- The role of imagination and experience in shaping Keats's epistemology and aesthetic theory.
- The relationship between Keats's poetry and his conception of the truth-function of art.
- The limitations and ambiguities of Keats's epistemological framework.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The introduction sets the stage by defining the concept of "Negative Capability" and its significance in Keats's thought. It introduces the paper's main objective, which is to explore the connection between Keats's epistemology and his aesthetic theory.
- The second chapter delves into the socio-historical context that shaped Keats's ideas. It examines the impact of the French Revolution, the rise of Enlightenment thought, and the emergence of German Idealism, all of which influenced Keats's approach to knowledge and the world.
- Chapter three focuses specifically on Keats's epistemology, exploring his views on scepticism, the pursuit of knowledge, and the role of beauty in shaping his understanding of truth. It examines the notion of "Negative Capability" as a key aspect of Keats's approach to knowledge.
- Chapter four examines Keats's theory of art and its relationship to his epistemological views. It explores the holistic tradition of art that Keats embraced, drawing connections to Surrealism. This chapter also delves into the function of poetry as a means of conveying knowledge and truth, particularly in the context of Keats's poem "Sleep and Poetry".
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key words that capture the main themes of the work include: Negative Capability, Romanticism, Enlightenment, German Idealism, epistemology, aesthetics, imagination, beauty, truth-function of art, scepticism, poetry.
- Quote paper
- Andrea Heß (Author), 2005, An epistemological approach to John Keats and the truth-function of his poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/45008
