At the behest of the criterion of authenticity, much that was once thought to make up the very fabric of culture has come to seem of little account, mere fantasy or ritual, or downright falsification. Conversely, much that culture traditionally condemned and sought to exclude is accorded a considerable moral authority by reason of the authenticity claimed for it, for example, disorder, violence, unreason.

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About Lionel Trilling

Lionel Trilling was a 20th-century American literary critic. Lionel Mordecai Trilling was an American literary critic, short story writer, essayist, and teacher. One of the leading U.S. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Art — Creativity, expression, and the role of art in society

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