A Philosophy of Beauty: Shaftesbury on Nature, Virtue, and Art by Michael B. Gill (review).

The article reviews Michael B. Gill's book *A Philosophy of Beauty: Shaftesbury on Nature, Virtue, and Art*, which explores the philosophy of Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury (1671–1713). Gill presents Shaftesbury's views on beauty as a harmonious integration of emotional and rational elements, linking aesthetic appreciation with religious belief, virtue, and art's moral purpose. The book emphasizes Shaftesbury's optimistic moral philosophy, his conception of virtue as integrity aligned with a universal moral sense, and his belief in art—especially history painting—as a means to illustrate how one ought to live. Gill's study focuses on Shaftesbury's mature works and prose style, offering a nuanced interpretation that highlights the philosopher's intellectual achievements while acknowledging the challenges posed by his elaborate writing.