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Aesthetics

Module description

In this module you will examine core philosophical problems in Aesthetics. You will begin by examining the debate over the nature of beauty and ugliness, and whether it is possible to offer a theoretical analysis of these central aesthetic concepts. Then, you will focus on how to understand the value of art, art-making, and art-appreciation, and the relation between these values and other sources of human value, such as the ethical and the intellectual. You will consider, for example, whether the value of art is exhausted by its perceptible, formal qualities; whether the virtuous character of an artist can make her art better; and whether we have any aesthetic obligations (as we have moral obligations). Lastly, the module will investigate philosophical problems concerning individual art-forms such as music and film.

There are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules. The module is suitable for non-specialists and those from interdisciplinary pathways who have an interest in the nature and value of art. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

• You will learn about current debates in Aesthetics, and come to understand how these are related to topics from elsewhere in the discipline of Philosophy.

• You will learn to think critically about your own aesthetic tastes and judgements, and to articulate your philosophical conclusions with care and precision.

• You will develop your capacities for philosophical analysis and reasoning, by reading and researching contemporary literature on Aesthetics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain and evaluate key philosophical problems surrounding topics in Aesthetics and existing responses to these problems, while developing your own critical perspective.
• 2. Explain in an informed and systematic way how problems in aesthetics are connected to issues in other philosophical domains, including ethics and metaphysics.
• 3. Devise and sustain rationally persuasive arguments using appropriate ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Critically analyze philosophical texts, both recent and historical, and examine their presuppositions and methods reflectively.
• 5. Consolidate philosophical concepts from other modules and begin to convey a sense of the unity of philosophy as a discipline.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Illustrate and explain difficult ideas in writing and orally, while maintaining an honest and balanced perspective.
• 7. Analyse, critically engage with, and report accurately upon, existing written material while building a structured and cogent argument.
• 8. Work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• The nature of beauty and ugliness
• The value of art; the sublime
• Art and morality
• High and low art
• Music and the expression of emotion
• Everyday aesthetics

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Lamarque, P. & Olsen, S.H. (2004) Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: The Analytic Tradition, Blackwell.

Robinson, J. (1994), ‘The Expression and Arousal of Emotion in Music’, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 52(1).

Cohen, T. (1993), ‘High and Low Thinking about High and Low Art’, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 51(2).

Leddy, T. (2015), ‘Experience and Awe: An Expansive Approach to Everyday Aesthetics’, Contemporary Aesthetics 13.

Cochrane, T. (2012), ‘The Emotional Experience of the Sublime’, Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 42(2).

Kieran, M. (2010), ‘The Vice of Snobbery: Aesthetic Knowledge, Justification, and Virtue in Art Appreciation’, Philosophical Quarterly, 60(239).

Gaut, B. (2002), ‘Cinematic Art’, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 60(4).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

https://philpapers.org/browse/aesthetics

Key words search

Aesthetics; Art; Beauty; Music; Value