Aesthetic Realism

"This book is a timely addition to the growing discussion about aesthetic realism and the many ramifications this debate has for philosophical aesthetics in general. In this thought-provoking contribution, we hear a strong and interesting voice which will no doubt shape the scholarly discussion for some time to come." --Elisabeth Schellekens, Professor of Aesthetics, Uppsala University, Sweden "Inês Morais writes a fluent, elegant prose, has a tough-minded and analytical approach to texts and issues at hand, and is clear and soberly assertive." --António M. Feijó, Professor of Literary Theory, University of Lisbon, Portugal "Inês Morais' book on aesthetic realism is both accessible and rigorous. It is an excellent contribution to the debate." -- Nick Zangwill, Ferens Chair of Philosophy, University of Hull, UK This compelling book defends realism concerning the aesthetic--in particular, concerning the aesthetic properties of works of art (including works of literature). Morais lucidly argues that art criticism, when referring to aesthetic properties, is referring not ultimately to the critic's subjective reactions, but to genuine properties of the works. With a focus on contemporary discussion conducted in the analytic tradition, as well as on arguments by Hume and Kant, this book characterizes the debate in aesthetics and the philosophy of art concerning aesthetic realism, examining attacks on the objectivity of values, the 'autonomy thesis', and Hume's sentimentalism. Considering and defusing scepticism concerning the significance of the ontological debate about aesthetic realism, Morais discusses two powerful attacks on aesthetic realism before defending the doctrine against them and providing a positive realist account of aesthetic properties "This book is a timely addition to the growing discussion about aesthetic realism and the many ramifications this debate has for philosophical aesthetics in general. In this thought-provoking contribution, we hear a strong and interesting voice which will no doubt shape the scholarly discussion for some time to come." --Elisabeth Schellekens, Professor of Aesthetics, Uppsala University, Sweden "Inês Morais writes a fluent, elegant prose, has a tough-minded and analytical approach to texts and issues at hand, and is clear and soberly assertive." --António M. Feijó, Professor of Literary Theory, University of Lisbon, Portugal "Inês Morais' book on aesthetic realism is both accessible and rigorous. It is an excellent contribution to the debate." -- Nick Zangwill, Ferens Chair of Philosophy, University of Hull, UK This compelling book defends realism concerning the aesthetic--in particular, concerning the aesthetic properties of works of art (including works of literature). Morais lucidly argues that art criticism, when referring to aesthetic properties, is referring not ultimately to the critic's subjective reactions, but to genuine properties of the works. With a focus on contemporary discussion conducted in the analytic tradition, as well as on arguments by Hume and Kant, this book characterizes the debate in aesthetics and the philosophy of art concerning aesthetic realism, examining attacks on the objectivity of values, the 'autonomy thesis', and Hume's sentimentalism. Considering and defusing scepticism concerning the significance of the ontological debate about aesthetic realism, Morais discusses two powerful attacks on aesthetic realism before defending the doctrine against them and providing a positive realist account of aesthetic properties Preface 5 Contents 7 1 Realism 8 Abstract 8 1.1 What Is Realism? 9 1.2 Redirecting the Debate: Minimalism, Pluralism and ‘Cognitive Command’ 13 1.3 Quietism 20 1.4 Realism in Aesthetics: Creativity and the World 22 2 Error Theory 31 Abstract 31 2.1 Mackie’s Error Theory of Values 31 2.2 McDowell’s Reply 39 2.3 ‘Common-Sense’ Realism 45 3 Aesthetic Autonomy 50 Abstract 50 3.1 The Autonomy Thesis 50 3.2 Philosophers on Aesthetic Autonomy 54 3.3 Why the Autonomy Thesis Is True 58 3.4 The Supposed Contrast with Colour Judgements 64 3.5 Why Autonomy Is Compatible with Realism 67 4 Hume’s Standard of Taste 72 Abstract 72 4.1 Introducing the Standard of Taste 73 4.2 Standard of Taste: Discovered or Constituted? 77 4.3 Sentimentalism and Realism 86 5 Arguments for Aesthetic Realism 90 Abstract 90 5.1 A Last Anti-realist Argument Considered 90 5.2 Indispensability and Explanation 94 5.3 Descriptive Limits of Aesthetic Attributions 98 5.4 Simplicity 100 5.5 The Aesthetic/Non-aesthetic Distinction 103 6 The Nature of Aesthetic Reality 109 Abstract 109 6.1 The Epistemic Notion of ‘Taste’ 113 6.2 Value-Grounding Properties 117 6.3 Higher-Order Ways of Appearing 120 6.4 Desire-Mediated Properties 122 6.5 ‘Through Loving Spectacles’ 125 6.6 Including Beauty 132 6.7 Conclusion 139 References 141 Index 148 Front Matter ....Pages i-vii Realism (Inês Morais)....Pages 1-23 Error Theory (Inês Morais)....Pages 25-43 Aesthetic Autonomy (Inês Morais)....Pages 45-66 Hume’s Standard of Taste (Inês Morais)....Pages 67-84 Arguments for Aesthetic Realism (Inês Morais)....Pages 85-103 The Nature of Aesthetic Reality (Inês Morais)....Pages 105-136 Back Matter ....Pages 137-146