From the early years, when he morphed from celebrated poet to provocative singer-songwriter, to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Leonard Cohen has endured as one of the most enigmatic and profound figures—with a uniquely compelling voice and unparalleled depth of artistic vision—in all of popular music. The aesthetic quality and intellectual merit of Cohen’s work are above dispute; here, for the first time, a team of philosophers takes an in-depth look at its real significance.
Want to know what Cohen and Kierkegaard have in common? Or whether Cohen rivals the great philosophical pessimist Schopenhauer? Then this book is for you. It provides the first thorough analysis of Cohen from various (philosophical) positions. It is intended not only for Cohen fans but also undergraduates in philosophy and other areas. It explores important neglected aspects of Cohen’s work without attempting to reduce them to academic tropes, yet nonetheless will also be useful to academics—or anyone—beguiled by the enigma that is Leonard Cohen.
From the Back Cover
"Cohen famously said that there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. This book takes the brilliant light of Cohen's words and shines it into Plato's cave with such strength the prisoners are not only free but see the sun." --Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray, author of Doorway to the World of Essences
"Leonard Cohen and Philosophy? 'Everybody knows' there's a connection: not only through his Judaism cut with classico-medievalist Québécois Catholicism and then further cut with Zen Buddhism, but also via his tutoring in the 'School of Hard Knocks' that is the pop-rock balladeer scene. . . . Editor Jason Holt, himself a fine absurdist experimental poet and a professor of philosophy, draws us into examining the koan of Cohen, so to speak. . . . Holt assembles twenty scholars to ponder the ideational links between Cohen as writer/songwriter and a cosmopolitan who's who of philosophers. . . . Reading these superb assessments of Cohen's (sung) words bids us read and/or hear the bard ever more intensively, to recognize in him the extension of a troubadour tradition . . ." --George Elliott Clarke, Professor of Canadian Studies, Harvard University & Poet Laureate of Toronto
"[P]rovides a delightful and engrossing philosophical journey through the life and art of Leonard Cohen. Jason Holt and his roster of engaging contributors make you want to travel with them--and you'll be glad you did." --Shaun P. Young, editor of Jeopardy and Philosophy
About the Author
Jason Holt is a published poet and a philosopher who specializes in aesthetics and the philosophy of mind. He's an associate professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is the editor of several books, including The Daily Show and Philosophy, and he is the author of Blindsight and the Nature of Consciousness.
Description:
From the early years, when he morphed from celebrated poet to provocative singer-songwriter, to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Leonard Cohen has endured as one of the most enigmatic and profound figures—with a uniquely compelling voice and unparalleled depth of artistic vision—in all of popular music. The aesthetic quality and intellectual merit of Cohen’s work are above dispute; here, for the first time, a team of philosophers takes an in-depth look at its real significance.
Want to know what Cohen and Kierkegaard have in common? Or whether Cohen rivals the great philosophical pessimist Schopenhauer? Then this book is for you. It provides the first thorough analysis of Cohen from various (philosophical) positions. It is intended not only for Cohen fans but also undergraduates in philosophy and other areas. It explores important neglected aspects of Cohen’s work without attempting to reduce them to academic tropes, yet nonetheless will also be useful to academics—or anyone—beguiled by the enigma that is Leonard Cohen.
From the Back Cover
"Cohen famously said that there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. This book takes the brilliant light of Cohen's words and shines it into Plato's cave with such strength the prisoners are not only free but see the sun."
--Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray, author of Doorway to the World of Essences
"Leonard Cohen and Philosophy? 'Everybody knows' there's a connection: not only through his Judaism cut with classico-medievalist Québécois Catholicism and then further cut with Zen Buddhism, but also via his tutoring in the 'School of Hard Knocks' that is the pop-rock balladeer scene. . . . Editor Jason Holt, himself a fine absurdist experimental poet and a professor of philosophy, draws us into examining the koan of Cohen, so to speak. . . . Holt assembles twenty scholars to ponder the ideational links between Cohen as writer/songwriter and a cosmopolitan who's who of philosophers. . . . Reading these superb assessments of Cohen's (sung) words bids us read and/or hear the bard ever more intensively, to recognize in him the extension of a troubadour tradition . . ."
--George Elliott Clarke, Professor of Canadian Studies, Harvard University & Poet Laureate of Toronto
"[P]rovides a delightful and engrossing philosophical journey through the life and art of Leonard Cohen. Jason Holt and his roster of engaging contributors make you want to travel with them--and you'll be glad you did."
--Shaun P. Young, editor of Jeopardy and Philosophy
About the Author
Jason Holt is a published poet and a philosopher who specializes in aesthetics and the philosophy of mind. He's an associate professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is the editor of several books, including The Daily Show and Philosophy, and he is the author of Blindsight and the Nature of Consciousness.