The Kingdom of God is Within You; What is Art?

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

43409

Title

The Kingdom of God is Within You; What is Art?

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Leo Tolstoy presents two contrasting treatises: a religious argument for non-resistance to evil and a moral critique of modern art. Rejecting 'art for art's sake,' he argues that true art must be sincere, clear, and infectious with universal feelings to unite humanity against violence.

Summary up to 500 words

In this dual-volume work, Leo Tolstoy presents two distinct yet thematically connected treatises that challenge the status quo of his era. The first section, *The Kingdom of God is Within You*, redefines Christianity not as a mystical doctrine or institutional religion, but as a practical new conception of life centered on love and non-resistance to evil. Tolstoy argues that established churches have perverted Christ's teachings by condoning war, state violence, and conscription. He asserts that the true essence of Christianity lies in the simple commands found in Christ's words, which demand that individuals act with sincere moral principles regardless of societal pressure or government edicts. For Tolstoy, the contradiction between Christian conscience and pagan norms like military service can only be resolved through individual sincerity, leading to a moral advance achieved through public opinion rather than violence. The second treatise, *What is Art?*, launches a fierce critique of contemporary aesthetics. Tolstoy rejects definitions of art based on beauty or pleasure, labeling them as tools for the wealthy to transmit base emotions such as pride, sexual desire, and weariness. He specifically attacks the 'Decadent' movement and obscure symbolism found in the works of Baudelaire and Mallarmé, viewing them as counterfeits designed to exclude the masses. Instead, Tolstoy proposes that true art must be infectious, clear, and sincere, transmitting feelings of brotherly love accessible to all people. He argues that art's highest purpose is to foster universal unity and moral progress, serving humanity's quest for perfection rather than acting as a possession for an elite minority. By distinguishing between 'real' art that unites mankind and 'counterfeit' art that divides it, Tolstoy concludes that the future of art must be guided by religious perception to achieve a brotherly union among all people.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy
• Art