Abstract
The answer to this question depends naturally on the meaning of the expression “aesthetic explanation”. There can be at least three different meanings: (1) the aesthetic value (the beauty) of explanations; (2) an explanation of aesthetic phenomena from the standpoint of non-aesthetic disciplines, and (3) an explanation of aesthetic issues that is based on an aesthetic theory. Each meaning leads to different theoretical considerations and involves different aspects of both explanation and aesthetics. Let me elaborate:
-
1.
The expression “beautiful (or for that matter, ugly) explanation” implies the relevance of aesthetic considerations to explanation. To say of an explanation that it is beautiful is an expression of approval; it praises the explanation in question in terms of, e.g., coherence, harmony, parsimony, and so forth. One may hold, as many do, that beauty is the main criterion for determining the worth of an explanation (see, e.g., Lipton’s contribution to this volume).
-
2.
“Aesthetic explanation” may further mean an explanation of aesthetic matters without reference to the nature of the explanation itself. Aesthetic issues may be explained on the basis of non-aesthetic theories such as biological and psychological theories and given accordingly biological or psychological explanations. However a biological explanation of beauty is still biological and not an “aesthetic” explanation it is limited to biological aspects of aesthetic issues.
-
3.
“Aesthetic explanation” may also mean an explanation that is based on an aesthetic theory just as a psychological explanation is an explanation that is based on a psychological theory and a physical explanation is based on a physical theory. However, this kind of analogy between aesthetics and other disciplines is far from being self-evident. The notion of explanation that is based on an aesthetic theory is dubious; it raises difficulties that are unique to the aesthetic domain.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Baumgarten, G. A., (1954). Reflection on Poetry, trans. K. Aschenbrunner and W. B. Holther, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Beardsley, M. C. (1968) “Order and Disorder in Art”, see P. Kuntz (ed.), The Concept of Order, Seattle, London: University of Washington Press, 191–218.
Bergson, H., (1944). Creative Evolution, trans. A. Mitchel. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Bergson, H., (1946). The Creative Mind, trans., M. L. Andison, New York: Philosophical Library.
Berlyne, D. E., (1960). Conflict, Arousal, and Curiosity, New York-Toronto-London: McGraw-Hill.
Birkhoff, G. D., (1933). Aesthetic Measure, Cambridge Mass: Harvard University Press.
Coker, J., (1964). Improvising Jazz, New York: Simon and Schuster.
Elton, W., (ed.) (1954). Aesthetics and Language, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Etcoff, N., (1999). Survival of the prettiest, New York, London: Doubleday
Eysenck, H. J., (1941) “Empirical Determinations of Aesthetic Formula”, Psychological Review, 48: 83–92.
Hiller, L. A. and Isaacson, L. M., (1959). Experimental Music, New York: McGraw-Hill.
Hume, D., (1985). Essays — Moral, Political, and Literary, (ed.) E. F. Miller, Indianapolis: Liberty Classics.
Kant, I., (1951 [ 1790]). Critique ofJudgment, Trans. J. H. Bernard, New York: Hafner Press.
Kant, I., (1962 [ 1787]). Critique ofPure Reason, Trans. J. M. D. Meikeljohn, New York: Willey Book Co.
Kuntz, P., (ed.) (1968). The Concept of Order, Seattle, London: University of Washington Press.
Leibniz, G. W., (1951). “Reflections on Knowledge, Truth, and Ideas,” [ 1684] in Selections, edited by P. Wiener, New York: Charles Scribner, 283–290.
Prigogine, I. and Stengers, I., (1984). Order Out of Chaos, Toronto, New York, London, Sydney: Bantam Books.
Voltaire, (1977). The Portable Voltaire, [“Beauty”, Philosophical Dictionary, 1764], Kingsport, Tennessee: Pengu in Books.
Witmer, L., (1893). “Zur experimentellen Ästhetik einfacher räumlicher Formverhältnisse,” Philosophische Studien, 9: 96–144.
Wittgenstein, L., (1970). Lectures and Conversations on Aesthetics, Psychology and Religious Belief, C. Barratt (ed), Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lorand, R. (2001). Are There Aesthetic Explanations?. In: Hon, G., Rakover, S.S. (eds) Explanation. Synthese Library, vol 302. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9731-9_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9731-9_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5827-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-015-9731-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive