Speculative Aesthetic Expressivism

Robson, Jon; Sinclair, Neil

Abstract

In this paper we sketch a new version of aesthetic expressivism. We argue that one advantage of this view is that it explains various putative norms on the formation and revision of aesthetic judgement. We begin by setting out our proposed explananda and a sense in which they can be understood as governing the correct response to putative higher-order evidence in aesthetics. We then summarise some existing discussions of expressivist attempts to explain these norms, and objections raised to them. This will allow us to identify the pitfalls that a good expressivist explanation needs to avoid. Finally, we sketch our preferred version of aesthetic expressivism which includes as a crucial part a hypothesis concerning the distinctive expressive function of aesthetic practice. We then consider how this theory can explain the putative aesthetic norms whilst avoiding the previous objections.

Citation

Robson, J., & Sinclair, N. (2023). Speculative Aesthetic Expressivism. British Journal of Aesthetics, 63(2), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesthj/ayac036

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 10, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Deposit Date: Jun 10, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2024
• Journal: British Journal of Aesthetics
• Print ISSN: 0007-0904
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-2842
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 181-197
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aesthj/ayac036
• Keywords: Expressivism, Aesthetics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8397672
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/bjaesthetics/article/63/2/181/6695423?login=false