In this episode, I discuss the phenomenon of the sublime, a peak experience involving a pleasure because of terror at being overwhelmed. It can occur when overpowered by an experience of the awesomeness of nature, or of a work of art. I draw from an article by Robert Clewis, found in Aeon magazine, “Is the Sublime A Hopelessly Old-Fashioned Euro-Romantic Ideal?” Links to the artwork of Thomas Cole can be found at arthistorynewsreport.blogspot.com/2014/10/thomas-coles-voyage-of-life-at-chrysler.html. Also a video of the work of Caspar David Friedrich can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLp5wPMIxU.
