Reflections on a sofa bed : functional beauty and looking fit
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journal of Aesthetic Education
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Volume
47
Issue
2
First Page
35
Last Page
48
Publisher
University of Illinois Press
Abstract
This essay argues for two conclusions about functional beauty as the notion has been understood by Glenn Parsons and Allen Carlson in a recent book by the same name. First of all, it is argued that functional beauty either is not a distinct kind of beauty or that the members of this kind are not all and only instances of the property of looking fit. Second, it is argued that functional beauty is relative only to categories corresponding to essential functions. The second conclusion contradicts what Parsons and Carlson write about functional beauty, but the first conclusion does not, since they agree that looking fit is not necessary for functional beauty. However, their agreement on this point is based on reasons that can be shown to be mistaken. Moreover, contrary to what Parsons and Carlson claim, looking fit can also be shown to be insufficient for functional beauty.
DOI
10.5406/jaesteduc.47.2.0035
Print ISSN
00218510
E-ISSN
15437809
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2013 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
De Clercq, R. (2013). Reflections on a sofa bed: Functional beauty and looking fit. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 47(2), 35-48. doi: 10.5406/jaesteduc.47.2.0035