The structure of aesthetic properties

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Philosophy Compass

Publication Date

9-2008

Volume

3

Issue

5

First Page

894

Last Page

909

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Abstract

Aesthetic properties are often thought to have either no evaluative component or an evaluative component that can be isolated from their descriptive component. The present article argues that this popular view is without adequate support. First, doubt is cast on the idea that some paradigmatic aesthetic properties are purely descriptive. Second, the idea that the evaluative component of an aesthetic property can always be neatly separated from its descriptive component is called into question. Meanwhile, a speculative hypothesis is launched regarding the structure of being garish and being cacophonous. Finally, an explanation is given of how the issue of the structure of aesthetic properties bears on their reality and (presumed) response-dependence.

DOI

10.1111/j.1747-9991.2008.00165.x

E-ISSN

17479991

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2008 The Author. Journal Compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 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. (2008). The structure of aesthetic properties. Philosophy Compass, 3(5), 894-909. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2008.00165.x

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