Abstract
This article examines Walter Pater's cultural theory by exploring the relationship between his aesthetic and religious thought. Building upon Friedrich Shiller's theory of aesthetic education and Matthew Arnold's cultural theory, Pater seeks to cultivate an ideal culture grounded in the completeness of humanity through a reevaluation of Greek culture and early Christianity. Epicureanism embodies Pater's aesthetic theory. Epicurean aestheticism promotes openness and inclusivity, encouraging the pursuit of diverse experiences and the embrace of all excellent ideas, including those of Christianity. Epicurean devotion to beauty is elevated to a form of sacred religiousness. At the same time, Pater praises second—century Christianity for nourishing human nature and embodying a Christianity of humanism. Unlike Arnold, who sought to synthesize Greek and Hebrew cultures, Pater's writings reveal an inner consistency between the sacredness and sincerity of Epicureanism and the humanism of early Christianity. His theory thus moves beyond “art for art's sake” to demonstrate broader cultural significance.
Keywords
Walter Pater, aestheticism, Epicureanism, Christianity
First Page
117
Last Page
126
Recommended Citation
Chen, Li. 2025. "Title: Aestheticism and Christianity: Walter Pater's Cultural Theory." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 45, (6): pp.117-126. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol45/iss6/12
