"Aesthetics (also esthetics) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty and the nature of taste..."
The study of art, beauty, and perception.
Fundamentals of Aesthetics: Introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and principles of aesthetics. Topics include beauty, taste, criticism, and the relationship between art and aesthetics.
History of Aesthetics: The study of the historical development of aesthetics from ancient Greece to the present. It includes the evolution of aesthetic theories, movements, and art forms.
Aesthetics of Visual Arts: The study of the principles, techniques, and theories that underlie visual arts such as painting, sculpture, film, photography, and architecture. It includes topics such as composition, form, color, light, and space.
Aesthetics of Literature: The study of the principles, techniques, and theories that underlie literary arts such as poetry, fiction, and drama. It includes topics such as language, style, narrative, and genre.
Aesthetics of Music: The study of the principles, techniques, and theories that underlie music. It includes topics such as harmony, melody, rhythm, and texture.
Aesthetics of Performing Arts: The study of the principles, techniques, and theories that underlie performing arts such as dance, theater, and opera. It includes topics such as movement, expression, emotion, and interpretation.
Aesthetics of Technology: The study of the principles, techniques, and theories that underlie the design and use of technology. It includes topics such as user experience, interface design, and the aesthetics of everyday objects.
Aesthetics and Culture: The study of the relationship between aesthetics and culture. It includes topics such as cultural identity, cultural diversity, and the role of aesthetics in shaping cultural values and practices.
Aesthetics and Ethics: The study of the relationship between aesthetics and ethics. It includes topics such as the moral value of art, the use of aesthetics to promote ethical values, and the ethical considerations of artistic creation and consumption.
"...the function of aesthetics is the 'critical reflection on art, culture and nature.'"
"Aesthetics examines the philosophy of aesthetic value, which is determined by critical judgements of artistic taste..."
"Aesthetics studies natural and artificial sources of experiences and how people form a judgement about those sources of experience."
"It considers what happens in our minds when we engage with objects or environments such as viewing visual art, listening to music, reading poetry, experiencing a play, watching a fashion show, movie, sports or even exploring various aspects of nature."
"The philosophy of art specifically studies how artists imagine, create, and perform works of art, as well as how people use, enjoy, and criticize art."
"Aesthetics considers why people like some works of art and not others..."
"...how art can affect moods or even our beliefs."
"Both aesthetics and the philosophy of art try to find answers to what exactly is art, artwork, or what makes good art."