Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0009
T. Cochrane
This chapter presents Aestheticism as a general approach to life. It is argued that a dedicated aestheticist will be inspired to create works of art. In alignment with this view an aesthetic functionalist account of art is defended, incorporating aspects of the expression theory of art and the cognitive theory of art. It is then suggested that the way an artist creatively responds to the value of the world is an ideal of living well. Moreover, although there are other such ideals, the artistic paradigm can apply to a variety of human activities, including the pursuit and expression of one’s understanding (as in philosophy). In the latter part of the chapter it is then argued that, in distilling aesthetic values, the artist has an important social role to play. Artworks help us to discern value ideals, and our capacity to discern values is a vital component of virtue.
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This chapter develops a foundational account of aesthetic value in general. It presents an analysis of aesthetic value as ‘objectified final value’. It is not only that we can aesthetically value the world, but also that we only really value the world in its own right by means of aesthetic value. This analysis is then underwritten with a key psychological claim: that aesthetic values are ‘distal versions’ of practical values. Moreover, the intensity of each aesthetic value rests on an ‘essential tension’ where a psychological reward is balanced against a challenge. It is then argued that this characterization demands a realist, object-focused (rather than experience-focused) model of aesthetic value. This permits the genuine sharing of aesthetic value.
{"title":"Aesthetic Value","authors":"T. Cochrane","doi":"10.5860/choice.33-4426","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.33-4426","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter develops a foundational account of aesthetic value in general. It presents an analysis of aesthetic value as ‘objectified final value’. It is not only that we can aesthetically value the world, but also that we only really value the world in its own right by means of aesthetic value. This analysis is then underwritten with a key psychological claim: that aesthetic values are ‘distal versions’ of practical values. Moreover, the intensity of each aesthetic value rests on an ‘essential tension’ where a psychological reward is balanced against a challenge. It is then argued that this characterization demands a realist, object-focused (rather than experience-focused) model of aesthetic value. This permits the genuine sharing of aesthetic value.","PeriodicalId":120369,"journal":{"name":"The Aesthetic Value of the World","volume":"126 11-12","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114009280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.4324/9780203849699-13
T. Cochrane
An account of comic value is presented in this chapter that refines the traditional ‘incongruity’ theory of comedy. It is argued that humorous objects are regarded as norm-violating (by failing, exceeding, or deliberately breaking a norm). In addition, these violations are regarded as ‘non-serious’ in the sense that we discern no pragmatic pull to correct, avoid, or imitate the norm-violation. These conditions are further refined by a consideration of timing in comedy and the humour of persona-based stand-up. The reward of comedy is then analysed as a kind of pleasurable release or relief from demands to uphold norms. Finally the chapter considers whether comic value can reconcile us with the absurdity of our lives.
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Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0006
T. Cochrane
The paradox of tragedy is introduced in this chapter. It is noted that it is harder to value real-life tragedies or suffering than artistic tragedies. Accounts attempting to reconcile us with tragedy by means of the overall beauty of the world are too distanced and callous. An account of the value of tragedy that is simultaneously ethically appropriate is required. It is argued that tragic works of art are ethically appropriate when they properly acknowledge suffering. The same is possible for real-life tragedy. Meanwhile, tragic works of art help us to see that we can positively value individuals for their own sake—described as sympathetic value—even while we do not value those individuals’ suffering. Sympathetic value is also applicable to bad people. Finally the possibility of sympathetic objects is introduced, and connected with the Japanese aesthetic concept of ‘wabi’.
{"title":"The Tragic","authors":"T. Cochrane","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0006","url":null,"abstract":"The paradox of tragedy is introduced in this chapter. It is noted that it is harder to value real-life tragedies or suffering than artistic tragedies. Accounts attempting to reconcile us with tragedy by means of the overall beauty of the world are too distanced and callous. An account of the value of tragedy that is simultaneously ethically appropriate is required. It is argued that tragic works of art are ethically appropriate when they properly acknowledge suffering. The same is possible for real-life tragedy. Meanwhile, tragic works of art help us to see that we can positively value individuals for their own sake—described as sympathetic value—even while we do not value those individuals’ suffering. Sympathetic value is also applicable to bad people. Finally the possibility of sympathetic objects is introduced, and connected with the Japanese aesthetic concept of ‘wabi’.","PeriodicalId":120369,"journal":{"name":"The Aesthetic Value of the World","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121147155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0008
T. Cochrane
This chapter draws together the various sources of aesthetic value presented in earlier chapters of the book and articulates how together they allow us to experience the entire world as aesthetically valuable. This chapter is intended as a consolidated defence of the core aestheticist position, and can be read relatively independently of the rest of the book. Comparisons are made to historical defences of Aestheticism from Saint Augustine and Nietzsche. Various criticisms of Aestheticism that have come up over the course of the book are addressed, including the ethical objection that we ought not to aesthetically appreciate certain things; the objection that some things are ugly; and the objection that aesthetic value is too subjective. In addition to the intrinsic benefits of Aestheticism, it is then noted that the pursuit of aesthetic value has practical benefits. Most of all, it motivates us to understand the world better. In this way, Aestheticism is an important stimulus to science and philosophy.
{"title":"In Defence of Aestheticism","authors":"T. Cochrane","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0008","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter draws together the various sources of aesthetic value presented in earlier chapters of the book and articulates how together they allow us to experience the entire world as aesthetically valuable. This chapter is intended as a consolidated defence of the core aestheticist position, and can be read relatively independently of the rest of the book. Comparisons are made to historical defences of Aestheticism from Saint Augustine and Nietzsche. Various criticisms of Aestheticism that have come up over the course of the book are addressed, including the ethical objection that we ought not to aesthetically appreciate certain things; the objection that some things are ugly; and the objection that aesthetic value is too subjective. In addition to the intrinsic benefits of Aestheticism, it is then noted that the pursuit of aesthetic value has practical benefits. Most of all, it motivates us to understand the world better. In this way, Aestheticism is an important stimulus to science and philosophy.","PeriodicalId":120369,"journal":{"name":"The Aesthetic Value of the World","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134584382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0005
Tom Cochrane
This chapter presents an analysis of dramatic value. Dramatic value is identified in three major forms: dramatic narratives, musical dramas, and dramatic appearances. It is observed that dramatic objects typically possess attention-absorbing intensities. This leads to a discussion of the rich experience account of aesthetic value; however it is argued that rich experience is not a distinct aesthetic value. Instead it is argued that the aesthetic value of drama lies in the exciting sense of an agent’s capacities being stretched. It is also possible to experience dramatic value with respect to our own activities. It is claimed that experiencing dramatic value, especially with respect to our own lives, is an important way to embrace struggle.
{"title":"The Dramatic","authors":"Tom Cochrane","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0005","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter presents an analysis of dramatic value. Dramatic value is identified in three major forms: dramatic narratives, musical dramas, and dramatic appearances. It is observed that dramatic objects typically possess attention-absorbing intensities. This leads to a discussion of the rich experience account of aesthetic value; however it is argued that rich experience is not a distinct aesthetic value. Instead it is argued that the aesthetic value of drama lies in the exciting sense of an agent’s capacities being stretched. It is also possible to experience dramatic value with respect to our own activities. It is claimed that experiencing dramatic value, especially with respect to our own lives, is an important way to embrace struggle.","PeriodicalId":120369,"journal":{"name":"The Aesthetic Value of the World","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132431283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1126/science.40.1028.382-b
T. Cochrane
This chapter links the value we take in beauty with our practical drive for knowledge. The contemporary ‘processing fluency’ account of aesthetic pleasure is examined and rejected. Instead, it is claimed that beautiful objects appear to be perfectly fitting together, which stimulates a rewarding sense that knowledge of the object is highly accessible. The nature of ugliness is then considered. On the face of it, ugliness presents a significant problem for Aestheticism, for how can everything be aesthetically valuable if some of it is ugly? As an initial response, the notion of ‘difficult beauty’ is appealed to.
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Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0004
T. Cochrane
An analysis of the sublime is presented in this chapter. It is argued that experiences of the sublime combine a negative emotional state, in which the individual feels a sense of ‘self-negation’, with a pleasurable sense of the object’s sublime qualities. After reviewing a number of different historical theories of the sublime, it is argued that the positive aspect of the sublime requires that we recognize our psychological capacity to empathize with objects. It is argued that by means of our empathic engagements, we are enthralled by the power of sublime objects. In service of Aestheticism, the sublime gives us a way to become reconciled to hostile or indifferent features of nature.
{"title":"The Sublime","authors":"T. Cochrane","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192848819.003.0004","url":null,"abstract":"An analysis of the sublime is presented in this chapter. It is argued that experiences of the sublime combine a negative emotional state, in which the individual feels a sense of ‘self-negation’, with a pleasurable sense of the object’s sublime qualities. After reviewing a number of different historical theories of the sublime, it is argued that the positive aspect of the sublime requires that we recognize our psychological capacity to empathize with objects. It is argued that by means of our empathic engagements, we are enthralled by the power of sublime objects. In service of Aestheticism, the sublime gives us a way to become reconciled to hostile or indifferent features of nature.","PeriodicalId":120369,"journal":{"name":"The Aesthetic Value of the World","volume":"114 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128148273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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