Jeff Mitscherling is professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Guelph.Paul Fairfield is professor of philosophy at Queen’s University at Kingston.

Relying on the accounts of various artists as well as on the resources of ancient and contemporary philosophy, this welcome study develops a phenomenologically oriented account of artistic creation, at the center of which lies the concept of intentionality. It presents the model of call and response and on such a basis argues that “tracking intentionality,” which is not of our own making, constitutes the core of artistic creation. Clearly written and well argued, this inspiring study is a pleasure to read. Avoiding technical jargon, this book addresses a broad audience and it will appeal to anyone with an interest in the fundamental questions that concern artistic creativity.

• Preface: Tracking IntentionsChapter 1: What Artists Tell UsChapter 2: Some Central Concepts and TheoriesChapter 3: More Clues from Plato and AristotleChapter 4: A Model of the Work of ArtChapter 5: Structural and Hermeneutic Considerations Involved in Artistic Creation and Aesthetic JudgmentChapter 6: ImplicationsConclusionBibliographyAbout the Authors