Introducing Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art

Aesthetics and the philosophy of art are about things in the world – things like the Mona Lisa, but also things like horror movies, the ugliest dog in the world, and wallpaper. There’s a surprising amount of philosophical content to be found in wallpaper.

Using a case-driven approach, Introducing Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art is grounded in real-world examples that propel thought, debate, and discussion about the nature of art and beauty. Now in its third edition, this tried-and-tested text features fresh cases and new activities. Hands-on Do Aesthetics! activities pepper the text, and Challenge Cases appear at the end of each chapter to test intuitions, complicate the field of discussion, and set a path forward. Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wall-Paper” serves as a recurring case throughout, and this edition includes the full text of this classic short story.

From classical debates that continue to bother philosophers today to emerging problems of identity, appropriation, and morality, this introduction is designed to engage you in a field that itself engages with so much of the world around you. Here is everything you need to know about the history, themes, thinkers, and theories to get you started on aesthetics and the philosophy of art.