AestheticsThis is a featured page

Hello. Here is what I found in my research in AESTHETICS!
Most of my research includes various online sources as well as some of my own knowledge.
I hope it helps =)

According to the dictionary’s definition of aesthetics, it is “The branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic, etc., as applicable to the fine arts, with a view to establishing the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art, and the principles underlying or justifying such judgments.” Of course that definition is quite complex, so in other words, aesthetics is the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the sense of beauty.

Judgment of aesthetics involves sensual, emotional, and intellectual aspects of beauty all at the same time. Beauty however, is based on taste (which can vary by sex, cultural background, morals, education, instinct, etc). It is both objective and universal, meaning there are certain things that everyone believes beautiful and other things that vary depending on cultural and individual interpretation. Aesthetics is also linked to emotion, physical reaction, and desirability. It is what a thing symbolizes for us and depends on our morals and beliefs.

Aesthetics is most commonly associated with the philosophy of art. Meaning, together the mind, emotions, and beauty define the inter-being of phiosophical art; sensory or appreciation of an object while incorporating the criticism of work.


There are seven universal signatures in human aesthetics according to philosopher Denis Dutton:
1) Expertise or Virtuosity – where technical artistic skills are cultivated, recognized, and admired.
2) Nonutilitarian Pleasure - people enjoy art for art's sake, and don't demand that it give them any benefits.
3) Style - artistic objects and performances satisfy rules of composition that place them in a recognizable style.
4) Criticism - people make a point of judging, appreciating, and interpreting works of art.
5) Imitation - works of art simulate experiences of the world.
6) Special Focus - art is set aside from ordinary life and made a dramatic focus of experience.
7) Imagination - artists and their audiences entertain hypothetical worlds in the theater of the imagination.

No reasoned argument can conclude that objects are aesthetically valuable or valueless. Objects are aesthetically valuable if:
1) They possess a special aesthetic property or exhibit a special aesthetic form.
2) They have the capacity to convey meaning or teach general truths.
3) They have the capacity to produce pleasure in those who experience or appreciate them. 4) They have the capacity to convey values or beliefs central to the cultures or traditions in which they originate, or important to the artists who made them.
5) They have the capacity to help bring about social or political change.
6) They have the capacity to produce certain emotions we value, at least when the emotion is brought about by art rather than by life.
7) They have the capacity to produce special non-emotional experiences, such as a feeling of autonomy or the will suspension of disbelief.


The study of aesthetics ranges back from the six great ancient civilizations; Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and China.

Islamic Aesthetics: According to Islam, human work is inherently flawed compared to Allah. Therefore if one was to create a work of art realistic to the form of an animal or human, they would be subjected to religious authorities. Because of the strict artistic expression in Islam, there has not been a large effect of art pertaining to arabesque, mosaic, calligraphy, or architecture.

Aesthetics - PhilWikiWiki
- In this piece of art, there is no representation of animal or human. It is more common to see art in Islam pertaining to nature because of the strict obligation to religion.

Indian Aesthetics: Indian art evolved on India’s own terms pertaining to their culture. Architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, music, dance, etc. incorporate both spiritual belief of the Indian religion/philosophical mind and also the relationship between symbolistic state.

Aesthetics - PhilWikiWiki
- The photo above depicts the Taj Mahal located in Agra, India. The "jewel" was built under the authority of under Mughal Emperor Shah Janah in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Chinese Aesthetics: Art in China has always been a debate. There has never been a clear and concise definition of the art found in China, but all major art forms have been found in the country. Philosophical and religious art is common, but not universal. Everyone has their own interpretation of what art is acceptable depending on their beliefs, whether it be music, poetry, literature, etc. Because of this notion, art in China is vast and interesting.

Aesthetics - PhilWikiWiki
- The sculpture depicted above illustrates the different ways art is created and valued in Chinese culture.

African Aesthetics: African art evolved on its own and had very little influence from any other part of the world. The most popular forms of art in Africa are literature, performance art, sculpture, and architecture.

Aesthetics - PhilWikiWiki
- The painting above represents another way art is created and valued in African culture.

Western Medieval Aesthetics: This form of art is highly religious as it was started by ecclesiastical individuals in the church. However, as the Renaissance period came into play pieces became more Greek and Roman influenced.

Aesthetics - PhilWikiWiki
- The sculpture above depicts the most popular god in Greek mythology, "Zeus."

Aesthetics Today: During the period between the 17th century and 20th century, Western aesthetics was known as “modernism.” Today however, artists are continually challenging the past’s definition on what is “beautiful.” There have been numerous attempts to redefine aesthetics in today’s society. Now we classify beauty in film, television, digital art, plastic, maps, marketing, music, performing arts, literature, gastronomy, information technology, math, industrial design, architecture, landscaping, fashion, etc.


- This clip perfectly illustrates how our society defines beauty today. It challenges the notion of what we classified beauty in the past by incorporating art, fashion, marketing, and new technology while also completely recognizing society's drawback for doing so.


by Mercedes Robinson


For more information you can go to the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics
http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aestheti.htm
http://www.aesthetics-online.org/
http://www.aesthetics.net/


Aristotle_230_03
Aristotle_230_03
Latest page update: made by Aristotle_230_03 , Apr 26 2008, 5:18 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Aristotle_230_03 Edited by Aristotle_230_03

111 words added

view changes

- complete history)
Keyword tags: Aesthetics
More Info: links to this page

Anonymous  (Get credit for your thread)


There are no threads for this page.  Be the first to start a new thread.