The Enduring Role of Emotion in Shaping Our Aesthetic Sense

The role of emotion in our experience of art is not merely incidental; it is fundamental, acting as both a catalyst and a conduit for aesthetic appreciation. From the ancient Greek philosophers grappling with the power of drama to contemporary theorists dissecting the nuances of subjective response, emotion consistently emerges as a critical component in how we perceive, understand, and value beauty and artistic expression. This article explores the multifaceted ways emotion intertwines with our aesthetic sense, drawing insights from pivotal thinkers within the Great Books of the Western World to illustrate its profound and often paradoxical influence.

The Ancient Resonance: Emotion as a Mirror and a Molder

For centuries, philosophers have recognized the potent connection between art and human feeling. The very purpose and impact of artistic creation were often understood through their capacity to evoke or manage emotions within the observer.

Plato's Caution: The Mimetic Threat

In Plato's Republic, the philosopher famously expresses deep skepticism towards art, particularly poetry and drama. His concern stemmed from the role of emotion they stirred. Plato believed that mimetic art, by imitating human actions and passions, could inflame irrational emotions, corrupting the soul and undermining the pursuit of truth and reason. He saw artists as dangerous manipulators of feeling, capable of swaying citizens away from rational governance. For Plato, the aesthetic sense was deeply intertwined with moral and political well-being, and uncontrolled emotion posed a significant threat.

Aristotle's Catharsis: The Purifying Power

In stark contrast, Aristotle, in his Poetics, offers a more nuanced and ultimately positive view of emotion's role in art. He introduces the concept of catharsis, suggesting that tragedy, through its depiction of fear and pity, purges these emotions from the spectator. This purification, far from being detrimental, was considered beneficial, offering a controlled release that could lead to psychological well-being. Aristotle saw the aesthetic experience as a means to refine our emotional responses, allowing us to confront powerful feelings in a safe, structured environment. Here, emotion is not a threat but a tool for personal and communal growth, an essential component of our aesthetic sense.

The Modern Turn: Subjectivity and the Aesthetic Experience

As philosophical thought evolved, the focus shifted from the objective properties of beauty to the subjective experience of the observer, further cementing the indispensable role of emotion.

Hume and the "Sense" of Beauty

David Hume, in his essay Of the Standard of Taste, acknowledges that beauty is not an inherent quality of objects but rather resides in the sense of the beholder. While he sought a "standard" of taste, he recognized that aesthetic judgments are deeply rooted in sentiment and feeling. For Hume, our emotional response is not merely a reaction to beauty; it is constitutive of beauty itself. The pleasure we derive from art is an emotional one, and this subjective feeling guides our aesthetic preferences. The role of emotion here is primary, a fundamental aspect of how we perceive and evaluate artistic merit.

Kant's Disinterested Pleasure (and its Emotional Undercurrents)

Immanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgment, famously argued for "disinterested pleasure" as the hallmark of aesthetic judgment. This might seem to sideline emotion, but Kant's concept is more complex. While he distinguished aesthetic pleasure from practical or sensory pleasure, the very experience of beauty still elicits a unique kind of feeling – a feeling of harmony between our faculties of imagination and understanding. This "feeling of life" or "quickening of the mind" is a subtle yet profound emotion, central to Kant's aesthetic theory. Even in the pursuit of universality in aesthetic judgment, the subjective experience of feeling remains indispensable.

Emotion as a Bridge: Connecting Art and Observer

The role of emotion extends beyond mere reaction; it acts as a crucial bridge, forging a connection between the artwork and its audience.

  • Empathy and Identification: Art often evokes empathy, allowing us to step into the shoes of characters or understand perspectives alien to our own. This emotional connection deepens our engagement and broadens our understanding of the human condition.
  • Meaning-Making: Emotions can imbue art with personal significance. A piece of music, a painting, or a poem can resonate with our own experiences, transforming a mere object into a powerful symbol or memory.
  • Aesthetic Appreciation: The sheer joy, wonder, or awe we feel in the presence of great art is an emotion in itself. This pleasure is not incidental but integral to our aesthetic sense, driving us to seek out and appreciate artistic creations.
  • Cognitive Engagement: Strong emotions can prompt deeper thought and reflection. A disturbing image or a challenging narrative might evoke discomfort, leading us to question assumptions and engage intellectually with the art.

(Image: A detailed classical oil painting depicting a scene from Greek mythology, perhaps the lament of Andromache or the suffering of Laocoön and his sons. The figures are rendered with dramatic expressions of grief, fear, and despair, their bodies contorted in anguish, emphasizing the raw, visceral emotion intended to evoke pity and terror in the viewer, much in the spirit of Aristotelian catharsis.)

The Enduring Significance of Emotion in Aesthetics

Whether viewed with suspicion, celebrated for its cathartic power, or understood as the very foundation of subjective taste, the role of emotion in aesthetics remains undeniable. It is through our feelings that art transcends mere form and color, sound and word, to touch the depths of our being. Our aesthetic sense is not a purely intellectual faculty; it is deeply intertwined with our capacity to feel, to empathize, and to be moved. The dialogue between art and emotion is a timeless one, continuously shaping how we perceive beauty, meaning, and truth in the world around us.

YouTube:

  1. "Plato and Aristotle on Art and Emotion"
  2. "Hume and Kant on Aesthetic Judgment and Feeling"

Video by: The School of Life

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