Aesthetic Realism Foundation

  • Subscribe
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • flat_facebook

Blog

“About Cynicism—& Its Beautiful Opponent”The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known #2073

December 22, 2021

Nancy Huntting, Aesthetic Realism consultant, writes:

The new issue of TRO, “About Cynicism—& Its Beautiful Opponent,” explains in a thrilling way one of the toughest subjects. Is there any state of mind that’s keener, wiser, more powerful than cynicism? Yes, you’ll learn, including through a vivid account by a contemporary man. You’ll learn what cynicism comes from in the self—and also how every good artwork opposes it. All this—with honesty, depth, and kindness—is in the magnificent new issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known.

The commentary by Ellen Reiss begins:

Dear Unknown Friends:

This issue of TRO is about cynicism. There is an article by Aesthetic Realism consultant Jeffrey Carduner, from a paper he presented at an Aesthetic Realism public seminar titled “Does a Man’s Cynicism Make Him Stronger or Weaker?” Our subject, cynicism, is very immediate. As one sees injustice seeming to succeed, democracy itself in peril, lies having large power on a national scale, and a pandemic continuing, it is very easy to go for cynicism. But it’s also very foolish. And I am happy to say: Aesthetic Realism shows there is an alternative to cynicism, an alternative that’s honest, intelligent, efficient, and, in fact, beautiful—while cynicism is dishonest, unintelligent, inefficient, and ugly.

What is cynicism? What causes it? You’ll see, Jeffrey Carduner quotes Eli Siegel speaking greatly on the subject. But for now we can say: cynicism is the feeling that, fundamentally, evil is stronger than good, and will win.

People think the cause of their cynicism is the facts. Aesthetic Realism shows that the cause of one’s cynicism is one’s desire for contempt, the desire to get “a false importance or glory from the lessening of things not oneself.” And contempt is the most hurtful thing in every human mind….Read more

Most Viewed Posts

  • The Philosophy of Depression
  • “Alexander Calder: Art Answers the Questions of Our Lives”
  • “Is Beauty the Making One of Opposites?”
  • “Books”—an Essay for Children
  • “A Good Husband: What Does That Mean?”
  • “Hawthorne’s ‘The Man of Adamant’”
  • “Man and Nature in New York and Kansas”
  • “Ocean, Mr., Mrs. Blink”
  • “The Beauty of Art & the Pain about Love”
  • History—Defined
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • What Is Aesthetic Realism?
    • Eli Siegel, Founder
    • Faculty
    • Some Background
  • Events
    • Public Seminars
    • Theatrical & Musical Matinees
    • Saturday Night Presentations
    • Directions
  • Calendar
  • Learn
    • Classes
      • The Aesthetic Realism Explanation of Poetry
      • Anthropology Is about You & Everyone
      • “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema
      • The Visual Arts & the Opposites
      • The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method
      • The Opposites in Music
      • Understanding Marriage!
    • Consultations
    • Workshops for Educators
    • Outreach
      • Art Talks
      • Architecture
      • Bullying
      • Education—Professional Development
      • Film Presentations
      • Housing: A Right
      • Prejudice & Racism
      • Seniors
      • Theatre Company
      • Young People
  • Periodical
  • Library
    • Online Library
    • Films & Videos
    • Blog
    • Lectures
      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Introduction
      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Introduction by Ellen Reiss
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Hope
      • Aesthetic Realism and Hope, Part 2
      • The Drama of Mind, Introduction
      • The Drama of Mind, Part 1
      • The Drama of Mind, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Introduction
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 3
      • Map to Happiness, by Eli Siegel
    • News Archive
    • Related Resources
  • Book Store
  • Visual & Dramatic Arts
    • Terrain Gallery
    • Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company
  • En Español

Support | Contact | En Español

Aesthetic Realism Foundation    141 Greene Street   New York, NY 10012   212.777.4490

Privacy Policy | Blog Comment Policy   Copyright © 1997–2022   Aesthetic Realism Foundation

Support | Contact | En Español

Aesthetic Realism Foundation
141 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012
212.777.4490

Privacy Policy

Blog Comment Policy

Copyright © 1997–2022
Aesthetic Realism Foundation

MENU
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • What Is Aesthetic Realism?
    • Eli Siegel, Founder
    • Faculty
    • Some Background
  • Events
    • Public Seminars
    • Theatrical & Musical Matinees
    • Saturday Night Presentations
    • Directions
  • Calendar
  • Learn
    • Classes
    • Consultations
    • Workshops for Educators
    • Outreach
  • Periodical
  • Library
    • Online Library
    • Films & Videos
    • Blog
    • Lectures
    • News Archive
    • Related Resources
  • Book Store
  • Visual & Dramatic Arts
    • Terrain Gallery
    • Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company
  • En Español
    • Subscribe
    • Support
    • Contact
    • Directions
    • flat_facebook