Philosopher's Zone How important is aesthetic education?
Feb 5, 2025
Laura D'Olimpio, an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education at the University of Birmingham and author of "The Necessity of Aesthetic Education," discusses the crisis facing arts and humanities in education. She explores the vital role of aesthetic experiences in fostering engagement and appreciation of art. D'Olimpio challenges the idea that arts education is solely about self-expression, emphasizing its cultural significance and moral complexities. She also addresses the impact of societal attitudes on arts education and the need for effective communication in advocating for the arts.
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Twitter Outrage Over PhD
- A Cambridge scholar's PhD on the politics of smell sparked outrage on Twitter.
- Many criticized humanities PhDs as useless and self-indulgent.
Defining Aesthetic Experience
- Aesthetic experience arises from focused attention on an object or environment.
- It involves a receptive attitude and a sense of pleasure, influenced by social context.
The Role of Education
- People naturally have aesthetic experiences, even without formal training.
- Education helps broaden access to complex art forms and allows for critical reflection.