HART228 - 02 - History of Aesthetics

What makes something beautiful or sublime? Why is this object a work of art? Does art have a purpose? In this course, we look for answers to such questions by reading ancient to contemporary aesthetic philosophies from across the globe that address topics such as the nature of art, whether beauty is objective or subjective, the idea of the sublime, what constitutes an aesthetic experience, and whether there is any universal basis for taste. We also engage adjacent fields, such as psychology and neuroaesthetics, to see how older ideas in the history of aesthetics remain contemporary and relevant beyond the realm of the arts. Through readings, discussions, and assignments, the course explores how ideas in aesthetics are not limited to philosophy and theory, but also have practical value for politics, work, and everyday living.