Single Idea 12158

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 2. Aesthetic Attitude]

Full Idea

It is possible to conclude that aesthetic experience has a peculiar practical significance: it represents the world as informed by the values of the observer.

Gist of Idea

Aesthetic experience informs the world with the values of the observer

Source

Roger Scruton (Recent Aesthetics in England and America [1980], p.13)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'The Aesthetic Understanding' [Methuen 1983], p.13


A Reaction

An excellent remark. If you look at, or listen to, anything, you can make a conscious effort to drain away your personal values (objectivity; science?), or you can consciously flood them with values. But moral and aesthetic vision must differ...