The Burkean Sublime

The Burkean Sublime, named after philosopher Edmund Burke, refers to experiences that evoke awe, wonder, and a sense of grandeur or vastness. It involves feelings of both admiration and fear, often triggered by natural phenomena like storms, mountains, or the vast ocean. These experiences remind us of nature’s power and our own smallness, creating a mix of pleasure and anxiety. Burke believed the sublime inspires a heightened emotional response, emphasizing the grandeur and sometimes terrifying aspects of nature or art that provoke deep reflection and a sense of the infinite.