In this seminar, we will explore the role of aesthetic emotions in philosophy of art, philosophy of mind, and the cognitive sciences. After some historical considerations (Plato, Aristotle, DuBos), we will read some case studies of specific emotions, such as the sense of beauty, wonder, and being moved. We will then focus on general definitions of aesthetic emotions. One of these is that aesthetic emotions underlie the evaluative judgment of artworks. In a third part we will discuss the structure of aesthetic emotions and explore the idea that aesthetic emotions are knowledge emotions in the sense that we appraise what we know, understand and comprehend in such emotions. 

This seminar is open to students in the Philosophy and Mind and Brain Masters programs. All texts and discussions will be in English. A willingness to read empirical texts from the cognitive sciences is a prerequisite.

Semester: WiSe 2024/25