Brain, Beauty, and Art: Essays Bringing Neuroaesthetics into Focus

The field of neuroaesthetics, which examines how the brain processes beauty and art, has grown from philosophy, art history, and the creative arts. In Brain, Beauty, and Art, leading scholars reflect on the promise of neuroaesthetics to enrich our understanding of this universal facet of human experience. The volume consists of essays from foundational researchers and identifies its most promising future directions, including models of neuroaesthetics and discussions of beauty, art, dance, music, literature, and architecture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Aesthetics has long been a domain of philosophical inquiry, art history, and the creative arts, but in recent years, psychology and neuroscience have also entered the fray, giving rise to the field of neuroaesthetics. In Brain, Beauty, and Art, esteemed scholars in this emerging field delve into the potential of neuroaesthetics to enhance our understanding of this multifaceted and universal aspect of human experience. This volume comprises essays by foundational researchers whose empirical work laid the groundwork for the field. Each essay is anchored to an original, peer-reviewed paper from the relatively short history of this rapidly evolving subdiscipline of cognitive neuroscience. The authors of each essay were asked three key questions: What motivated the original paper? What were the primary findings or theoretical assertions made? and How do those findings or claims align with the current state and anticipated future of neuroaesthetics? Collectively, these essays establish the landscape and boundaries of neuroaesthetics, while also identifying its most promising directions for future exploration. Topics covered include models of neuroaesthetics, as well as discussions of beauty, art, dance, music, literature, and architecture. Brain, Beauty, and Art will captivate and inspire anyone with a deep fascination in why we respond to beauty, engage with art, and are affected by music and architecture across time and cultures.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197513620