What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?
In which I offer an hors d'oeuvre tray of philosophy of art
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I am novelist and philosopher Daniel McInerny.
And I’m so glad you’re here.
If you’re visiting for the first time…
On the evening of March 24, 2025, I was honored to take the stage in Christendom College’s Major Speaker Series on the question,
“What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?”
I did not give a lecture that night. Alright, I gave a brief 10-minute lecturette (Okay, a pretty brief 13-minute lecturette, so sue me). It was but an hors d’oeuvre tray in advance of the feast of reason and flow of soul that followed: a conversation on art’s nature and significance between myself and Christendom president, Dr. George Harne.
The entire event can be enjoyed in the recording below. But if you’re really only interested in the lowdown on the central question, “What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?” the opening not-quite-10-minute lecturette will, I hope, serve you nicely.
And, if you’d like a deeper dive on the question of art and its significance…
you can find it in my book, Beauty & Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts (Word on Fire Academic, 2024).
Meanwhile, why are these young women so happy?
Because they’ve just taken part in a book club devoted to my novel, The Good Death of Kate Montclair. Click on the link and Mr. Amazon will ship such happiness right to your front door!
And, if you’re part of a book club, please consider putting The Good Death of Kate Montclair on your reading list.
When you’re finished with the novel, enjoy the prequel short story, “Pursuit Among the Ruins,”
which you’ll find just below as an ebook, compliments of the chef!
