Alva Noë’s book, The Entanglement: How Art and Philosophy Make Us What We Are, has garnered attention in both philosophical and art-critical circles. But rather than offer a review or summary here, I want to focus on a single idea that stood out—one that, I believe, reveals something vital about the power of aesthetics today. … Continue reading Reorienting Through Aesthetics→| Aesthetics Research Lab
When we think about politics, we often focus on laws, institutions, or debates. But philosopher Crispin Sartwell, in his book Political Aesthetics, invites us to reconsider this narrow view. Politics, he argues, is inseparable from its sensory and visual dimension—the images, styles, symbols, and rituals that shape how power is experienced and understood. Not all … Continue reading The Look of Power: Exploring Political Aesthetics→| Aesthetics Research Lab
Guest post by Margaret Ferguson, founder of Beyond The Chair: Earlier this year, Aesthetics Research Lab launched their project, The History of Aesthetics, to sharpen our understanding of the practice and application of aesthetics in our everyday lives. Explaining the history of aesthetics is deeply important to understanding the philosophical concepts that drive our aesthetic … Continue reading Gustatory Influences: Food Scarcity, Changing Fashions, and Aesthetics→| Aesthetics Research Lab
On the IMDb website, the highest rated film is The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Audiences rally behind Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) and Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (played by Morgan Freeman). When it comes to real prisoners, however, a stark difference seems more normal, as people adopt an out of sight and out of mind … Continue reading Aesthetics as Necessary for Prison Reform→| Aesthetics Research Lab
As the founder of Artful Banyan Tree, Bella Zhang stands as a pioneering force in the convergence of art and well-being promotion. With degrees in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh and Business Psychology from Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft, Bella combines academic excellence with creative innovation. Bella, a certified Expressive Arts Facilitator, employs … Continue reading Bringing Beauty to Business: An Interview with Bella Zhang→| Aesthetics Research Lab
I connected recently with Margaret Ferguson on Twitter, and what caught my eye was her mentioning her interest in applied aesthetics. Beginning her career as a cosmetologist, she turned to philosophical aesthetics, and this is her story. Guest post by Margaret Ferguson: When I was in middle school in 2002, I moved to Henderson, … Continue reading From Cosmetology to Philosophy→| Aesthetics Research Lab
I started Aesthetics Research Lab (ARL) in 2016 because I sensed that there were people around the world, in unexpected professions and disciplines, who had an affinity toward aesthetics, even if t…| Aesthetics Research Lab
The title of this essay is admittedly a mouthful. It’s because I want to introduce a technical term in philosophy that goes back to the medieval theologian and philosopher, Thomas Aquinas. It…| Aesthetics Research Lab
In 1980, philosopher John Finnis wrote Natural Law and Natural Rights, which is his explanation of natural law theory. He sets the stage by saying that there are seven basic human goods (also calle…| Aesthetics Research Lab
People prefer what is familiar to them. Scholars call this the “mere exposure effect.” Philosopher Bence Nanay explains: “The more you are exposed to something, the more you tend …| Aesthetics Research Lab
Quality can be an ambiguous word when people approach from different perspectives. What makes a quality car? It could be how long it will last; how fast it will go; how much it can haul. What makes…| Aesthetics Research Lab
