The sublime surpasses ordinary aesthetic experiences from "summary" of Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant
The sublime, according to Kant, is an aesthetic concept that transcends the ordinary experiences of beauty. It goes beyond mere pleasure or enjoyment derived from ordinary objects or experiences. When we encounter something sublime, we are confronted with a sense of awe and wonder that goes beyond mere sensory pleasure. It is a feeling of being overwhelmed by something that is beyond our comprehension. Kant argues that the sublime is characterized by a sense of greatness or magnitude that is beyond our ability to fully grasp. This greatness can be found in the natural world, such as in the vastness of the ocean or the towering mountains. It can also be found in works of art or literature that evoke a sense of grandeur or majesty. In either case, the sublime elicits a feeling of reverence and admiration that is distinct from the more commonplace feelings of pleasure or satisfaction that come from typical aesthetic experiences. The experience of the sublime, according to Kant, involves a certain element of fear or dread. This fear arises from the realization of our own limitations in the face of something that is so vast and powerful. It is a recognition of our own insignificance in the grand scheme of things. This feeling of fear adds an extra dimension to the sublime, heightening our sense of awe and wonder. In contrast to the ordinary aesthetic experiences of beauty, which provide us with a sense of harmony and proportion, the sublime disrupts our sense of order and challenges our understanding of the world. It pushes us beyond our comfort zone and forces us to confront the limits of our own knowledge and perception. In this way, the sublime serves as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the world around us, prompting us to think beyond our own narrow perspectives.- The sublime offers us a glimpse into the transcendent and the infinite. It opens up new possibilities for thought and reflection, inviting us to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the nature of reality itself. In this sense, the sublime surpasses ordinary aesthetic experiences, pushing us to expand our minds and consider the world in a new light.
