Single Idea 21372

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 1. Aesthetics]

Full Idea

The central problem of aesthetics is how satisfaction with and pleasure in an object are possible without any reference thereof to our willing.

Gist of Idea

Aesthetics concerns how we can take pleasure in an object, with no reference to the will

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], II:415), quoted by Christopher Janaway - Schopenhauer 6 'Aesthetic'

Book Reference

Janaway,Christopher: 'Schopenhauer' [OUP 2002], p.71


A Reaction

This does seem a good distinction. We can divide pleasures into willed and unwilled. Compare thinking that some remote stranger (in a photograph) is very beautiful, with falling in love with someone.

Related Idea

Idea 21370 Schopenhauer is a chief proponent of aesthetic experience as 'disinterested' [Schopenhauer, by Janaway]