Aesthetic testimony, understanding and virtue
Much of what we learn about the world comes from testimony. But in certain domains, including aesthetics, trusting testimony seems problematic; there is, at least, a puzzle about its status. I argue for an explanation of the puzzle in terms of the importance of understanding and of virtue. This requires sketching appropriate conceptions of aesthetic understanding and aesthetic virtue. I draw some conclusions about the similarities (and differences) between ethics and aesthetics.
Date: 14 February 2017, 16:00 (Tuesday, 5th week, Hilary 2017)
Venue: Exeter College, Turl Street OX1 3DP
Venue Details: Quarrell Room
Speaker: Prof Alison Hills (University of Oxford)
Organising department: Faculty of Philosophy
Organisers: Yuuki Ohta (University of Oxford), James Grant (University of Oxford)
Part of: The Aesthetics Seminar
Topics:
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Andy Davies