Research Article

INCREASING THE PROBABILITY OF GOOD ART: DESCARTES, AESTHETIC JUDGMENT, AND GENEROSITY

Number: 37 May 7, 2024
TR EN

INCREASING THE PROBABILITY OF GOOD ART: DESCARTES, AESTHETIC JUDGMENT, AND GENEROSITY

Abstract

Descartes’ first book, 1618’s Compendium of Music, focuses on biomechanical reactions in the human body but also claims that the purpose of art is to arouse emotions. By the end of the 1630s, however, he had given up on precisely predicting how that arousal may occur. This article contends, though, that Descartes’ abandonment of that project is a result of using an inappropriate psychological model for such predictions. An appropriate model is developed in his last book, 1649’s The Passions of the Soul. Especially by attending to generosity and desire, the probability of predicting aesthetic judgments is at least increased. In increasing it, Descartes’ abandonment need not be total.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Aesthetics , Philosophy of Art , 17th Century Philosophy , Modern Philosophy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 7, 2024

Submission Date

February 24, 2024

Acceptance Date

April 22, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Number: 37

Chicago
Griffith, James. 2024. “INCREASING THE PROBABILITY OF GOOD ART: DESCARTES, AESTHETIC JUDGMENT, AND GENEROSITY”. FLSF Felsefe Ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, nos. 37: 259-82. https://doi.org/10.53844/flsf.1442537.

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