Description
This essay discusses the various "aesthetic" theories that were popular in the 18th century, focusing on the work of authors such as Denis Diderot and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. These theories tended to focus on the "nuances" of language and the importance of artistry in creating meaningful works of art. This trend was eventually met with criticism, as many argued that these theories were too focused on the aesthetics of the individual instead of the social or political context within which they were written.
"Linguistic" theories in the 18th century are also theories of literature and art, and it is probably better, therefore, to think of them as "aesthetic" theories. This work considers a wide range of authors from this perspective.