Alexis Leggett: Aesthetics and Philosophy: External Reading 2

Aesthetics and Philosophy: A Match Made in Heaven?

 article written by Dr Anja Steinbauer

 http://philosophynow.org/issues/57/Aesthetics_and_Philosophy_A_Match_Made_in_Heaven

I came across the article titled above and found it to be quite interesting and extremely relevant to our class.    Steinbauer discusses begins her article by personifying philosophy and aesthetics as a couple that is constantly arguing.  Aesthetics argues that philosophy does not help the artist to become more creative or appreciate beauty while philosophy argues that aesthetics never listens to reason.  Steinbauer is bringing out the conflict aesthetics faces when trying to merge into philosophy.  I was unaware until reading this article that many philosophers argue aesthetics place in philosophy as to some it is not held to be as important as epistemology or ethics.  Greek philosophers acknowledge art and beauty in their discussions, they were never regarded as having their own disciplines within philosophy, but how can we have a clear understanding of the human mind if we leave out what we find aesthetically pleasing?  In my opinion aesthetics are greatly important in understanding the big picture of human thought.  How can we fully explore human nature if we regard what is held as beautiful and ugly as unimportant?  In my opinion we cannot.  Aesthetics is all around us.  It is seen in our architectures, our lawns, ourselves, our homes, everywhere.  It cannot simply be left out of the field of philosophy.