Since its origins in the eighteenth century, aesthetics has advanced by uncovering a series of problems—problems that have sometimes thrown aesthetics itself, as a philosophical enterprise, into doubt. This panel seeks papers that orient themselves around aesthetic problems. We are interested in submissions that consider work in both “analytic” and “Continental” aesthetics – or, better, are conversant in both traditions.

Topics to be addressed might include: 

• The definition of art: What distinguishes artworks from everyday objects, mere real things? Do artworks differ owing to their formal qualities? The meaning that they convey?
• The objectivity of aesthetic value: Are aesthetic judgments (e.g., “this is beautiful”) purely subjective expressions of personal preference, or do they point to objective qualities in the artwork? Could there be a universal standard of taste?
• The nature of aesthetic experience: Is there a unique mental state or “attitude” associated with aesthetic experience? If so, how should this experience be characterized?
• The specificity of (each) art: Do natural beauty and fine art belong together? Is there a category of art in general? Do the different arts (architecture, sculpture, painting, music, poetry, etc.) really share fundamental characteristics?
• The knowledge of art (I): What does it mean to gain knowledge of an artwork? Can an artwork be known second hand or is an individual encounter with the work necessary?
• The knowledge of art (II): What kind of knowledge (if any) does art itself provide?

A partial list of proper names:  Adorno, Cavell, Danto, Dewey, de Duve, Goodman, Kant, Hegel, Hume, Langer, Rancière, Walton, Wollheim, Wynter.

Because a number of scholars have already been invited to participate in the panel, please email [email protected] before submitting a proposal.