Practicing positive aesthetics

Greaves, Tom (2022) Practicing positive aesthetics. Environmental Philosophy, 19 (1). pp. 45-71. ISSN 1718-0198

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Abstract

This paper rethinks positive aesthetics as a group of aesthetic practices rather than a set of doctrines or judgments. The paper begins by setting out a general approach to aesthetic practices based on Pierre Hadot’s notion of philosophical ‘spiritual exercises.’ Three practices of positive aesthetics are then described: focusing the beauty of each thing; envisioning the beauty of everything; and allowing the beauty of all things. The paper warns against possible dangers to which each practice may fall prey, dangers that divert the practice from its perception cultivating and enhancing potential. The paper ends by drawing out key implications of this way of considering positive aesthetics for our understanding of beauty, negativity and artificiality.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies (former - to 2024)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Philosophy
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	13 May 2022 14:30
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2024 00:32
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/85026
DOI:	10.5840/envirophil2022526114

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