What Is Art?
In this provocative 1897 treatise, Leo Tolstoy, the literary titan, dismantles conventional aesthetics to reconstruct art's very definition. Dispensing with beauty as art's essence, he argues its true purpose lies in transmitting feelings between people. But not just any feelings: for Tolstoy, good art aligns with a society's highest 'religious perception,' fostering human unity and advancing the 'kingdom of God'—a realm of love over force. This radical framework leads him to some truly shocking conclusions, deeming much of the Western canon, including his own masterpieces like *War and Peace*, as 'bad art.' Tolstoy's audacious reevaluation forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about art's moral obligations and its societal function. This isn't merely an academic exercise; it's a deeply personal, spiritually charged manifesto that challenges us to reconsider our most cherished artistic assumptions. Whether you agree with his dismissals of Shakespeare and Wagner or his praise for Dickens, *What Is Art?* remains a vital, electrifying read that demands a re-examination of aesthetic value and art's place in forging a more humane world.
