Can we trace the origins of artistic expression back to our earliest religious and reverential impulses? In an age dominated by science, technology, and market forces, what essential human needs does art still fulfill? And how do we distinguish between art that merely entertains and art that helps us understand ourselves and our place in the world?

Today's guest is Richard Eldridge, Charles and Harriet Cox McDowell Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Swarthmore College. Eldridge is a distinguished voice in contemporary aesthetics, philosophy of language, and 19th century philosophy, with a unique capacity to bridge analytic and continental philosophical traditions. Throughout his expansive career, he has centered his work on the philosophical theme of expression—how human beings articulate their inner lives through art, language, and culture. His writing illuminates how expressive forms like literature, music, painting, and speech not only convey meaning but also shape the very way we understand ourselves and the world. Having taught across six continents and been a longtime member of the American Society for Aesthetics, Eldridge brings both global perspective and deep philosophical rigor to questions about art's role in human life.

In this conversation, we explore Eldridge's fascinating thesis that art emerged from humanity's earliest religious and reverential impulses—from Egyptian pyramids to Bacchanalian festivals—when our ancestors first became self-conscious about the beauty and power of their own creative acts. We examine how the rise of modern science and capitalism in the 17th century fundamentally altered art's role in society, creating both new possibilities and new pressures. Eldridge argues that significant art must do four things: have representational content, express genuine emotion, possess formal beauty, and illuminate shared human problems without providing easy answers. This framework becomes crucial as we grapple with contemporary questions about artistic value, education, and cultural elitism. As arts programs disappear from schools in favor of STEM initiatives, understanding why we need activities with "increasing marginal utility" like playing piano rather than eating lamb chops—becomes essential for defending what makes us most human: our capacity for reflection, commitment, and meaning-making through creative expression.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.