Paratexts seeking understanding: manuscripts and aesthetic cognitivism

Allen, G. V. and Royle, A. P. (2020) Paratexts seeking understanding: manuscripts and aesthetic cognitivism. Religions, 11(10), 523. (doi: 10.3390/rel11100523)

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between manuscripts of ancient religious literature and aesthetic cognitivism, a normative theory of the value of art. Arguing that manuscripts both contain and constitute works of art, we explore paratextuality as a phenomenon that connects manuscript studies to both qualitative and quantitative sides of aesthetic cognitivism. Focusing on our work with a single unpublished gospel manuscript (Dublin, CBL W 139) in the context of a larger project called Paratextual Understanding, we make that case that paratexts have aesthetic functions that allow them to contribute to the knowledge yielded by the larger literary work of which they are a part. We suggest a number of avenues for further research that engages with material culture, non-typography, paratexts, and the arts.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This publication was made possible through the support of a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. Research for this publication also received support from the TiNT project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 847428).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Royle, Anthony and Allen, Dr Garrick

Creator Roles

Royle, A. P.: Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Allen, G. V.: Funding acquisition, Project administration, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Allen, G. V., and Royle, A. P.
• College/School: College of Arts > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Journal Name: Religions
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2077-1444
• ISSN (Online): 2077-1444
• Published Online: 12 October 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Religions 11(10): 523
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License