"Aesthetic Agency and Value"

Dominic McIver Lopes (University of British Columbia)

Additional information:

Workshop: The talk will be preceded by a workshop on Prof. Dom Lopes' latest book Beyond Art. This will be held at the same venue, between 2:15-3:15pm.

Abstract of Talk: "A theory of aesthetic value should explain the performance of aesthetic experts, for aesthetic experts are agents whose acts track aesthetic value. Aesthetic empiricism, the theory that an item’s aesthetic value is its power to yield aesthetic pleasure, suggests that aesthetic experts are best at locating aesthetic pleasure, especially given aesthetic internalism, the view that aesthetic reasons always have motivating force. Problems with empiricism and internalism open the door to an alternative. Aesthetic experts perform a range of actions not aimed at pleasure. Yet their reasons for acting are aesthetic. Since aesthetic values figure in aesthetic reasons, we can read a non-empiricist theory of aesthetic value off aesthetic experts’ reasons for acting."

Both the workshop and the lecture are free and open to all! 

Contact:

Email: Please contact the organisers at [email protected] for additional information, special requirements, or other enquiries.

Webpage: For more information and future events by the Scottish Aesthetics Forum, please visit, 

http://www.ppls.ed.ac.uk/groups/scottish-aesthetics-forum

Facebook: Please follow our facebook page to stay updated,

https://www.facebook.com/scottishaestheticsforum