author

De Witt H. (De Witt Henry) Parker

1885–1949

A University of Michigan philosopher who wrote clearly about art, value, and the nature of experience, he helped bring big philosophical questions into everyday language. His books span aesthetics, ethics, and metaphysics, making him an interesting guide for listeners drawn to reflective, idea-rich writing.

1 Audiobook

The Principles of Aesthetics

The Principles of Aesthetics

by De Witt H. (De Witt Henry) Parker

About the author

Born in 1885, De Witt Henry Parker was an American philosopher who built his career at the University of Michigan, where he later became chair of the philosophy department. He is remembered for work across several major areas of philosophy, especially aesthetics, ethics, and metaphysics.

His published books include The Self and Nature (1917), The Principles of Aesthetics (1920), The Analysis of Art (1926), Human Values (1931), and Experience and Substance (1941). Taken together, these works show a thinker deeply interested in how people understand beauty, meaning, and value.

Parker died in 1949, but his writing still offers a thoughtful path into classic philosophical questions. For listeners curious about how art connects with human life and how experience shapes what we believe, his work remains approachable and rewarding.