Temple University philosophy professor Richard Shusterman, whose work includes the study of rap and hip-hop music as a form of postmodern art, will discuss "The Care of Body in Contemporary Culture" on Oct. 22 at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
Part of the University Forum lecture series, the presentation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Frank and Estella Beam Hall, Room 242. It is free and open to the public.
Shusterman is a central figure in the current efforts to revive the pragmatist tradition in the United States by infusing it with the ideas of continental philosophy and postmodern aesthetics. Pragmatism, the only school of philosophy that has its roots in America, is more action-based and less theoretical than other schools of philosophy.
Shusterman is the author of numerous articles and several books on literary criticism, T.S. Eliot, and modern art forms. His most recent volume, "Pragmatist Aesthetics," received a great deal of publicity for its bold effort to merge ethics and aesthetics, overcome an opposition between art and political action, and bridge the gap between popular culture and philosophical discourse about beauty.
In particular, he analyzed such modern art forms as rock and roll, hip-hop, and performance art from the standpoint of philosophical pragmatism and tried to show that they reflect important political realities.
The University Forum lecture series is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and underwritten by the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation.
For additional information on Shusterman's presentation, call 895-0259.
