Ivan Kovachev

The need for a thorough study of the nature and interrelations of aesthetic categories has long been apparent. Dr. Yuri Borev, in the second, expanded and revised edition of his book, has made an interesting attempt at their systematic study. His claim is well-founded that the consideration of aesthetic categories has so far remained at a low theoretical level, without a historical approach and especially without studying the connections between them. His efforts are aimed at overcoming these shortcomings and where he has succeeded, his work has a contributing character. The introductory part is an attempt at a historical study of the development of aesthetic categories. The author sought to comply with the dialectics of the logical and the historical. He has created a certain logical system of categories, from which he also proceeds in their theoretical study, “The categories of Marxist-Leninist aesthetics, as well as the categories of Marxist dialectics, are pivotal points in the history of human thought.

A book, the result of a strenuous theoretically sought-after path by a harmonious and prolific author, a book written sincerely and with temperament, in a language freed from the dogmatic template, justifiably arouses interest. Moreover, the author is already known for his independent positions, his erudition and his polemical fervor. This book outlines the period when people were emerging from the shell of dogmatism, but new paths had not yet been found. In order to assess what the author has achieved and to defend it, one must proceed from a direction that characterizes the current stage in our aesthetics. And since basic principles are still controversial, the considerations expressed are also of this nature.

Iv. Astakhov, A. Egorov and other Soviet aestheticians are at the forefront of the struggle for a truly Marxist formulation of the question of aesthetics and beauty, against the subjectivist deviations of the "socialists" - a large group of theorists who have also gained popularity in our country. Our "socialists" were recently opposed by Acad. T. Pavlov (newspaper "Nar. Kultura" from 8. VI. vol. 2001). The systematic, although not large, work of Iv. Astakhov brings more clarity to the formulation of the questions. EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT THE AESTHETIC but ... WHAT IS THE AESTHETIC? The author makes an analogy with a thought of Belinsky, who wrote about his time that everyone talks about nationality, but "few realize what nationality is, although the word seems simple and understandable." And he sets out to examine the relationship between the practical and the aesthetic in order to explain its essence. Iv. Astakhov began to study the aesthetic by revealing the essence of art according to the well-known Marxian method of searching for the specificity of phenomena in their highest forms of manifestation. The author begins by examining the broad meaning of the concept of art: "In every area of ​​human activity there is such a degree of mastery of labor habits, such a skill for their application, which best corresponds to a certain goal, plan." And he concludes that art is the ability to achieve high quality, perfection" in any activity.