The Aesthetics of Virtual Reality

The first book to present an aesthetics of virtual reality media, comparing them to more familiar media such as painting, film, and photography. It argues that to account for virtual reality, we must focus on the medium and its uses and that much of the cultural and metaphysical hype around it is undeserved. It is significant for overturning our understanding of how representational media can function and what we can use them to achieve.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book is the first to present a comprehensive aesthetics of virtual reality media, placing it within the framework of the philosophy of the arts. By comparing virtual reality to more familiar media like painting, film, and photography, it offers a fresh perspective on this emerging field.

In the past, philosophers have approached virtual reality primarily through the lens of metaphysics, delving into questions about the reality of virtual items and worlds, their value, and their potential impact on our understanding of the real world. However, Grant Tavinor argues that this approach is fundamentally flawed. To truly comprehend the essence of virtual reality, we must focus on the medium itself and its various applications, rather than getting caught up in hypothetical and speculative instances.

One of Tavinor's key arguments is that much of the cultural and metaphysical hype surrounding virtual reality is undeserved. He challenges the notion that virtual reality is a magical or unreal realm, pointing out that it is, in fact, a highly sophisticated technology that has the power to reshape our perception and experience of the world. However, Tavinor also acknowledges that virtual reality does not exist in a vacuum; it is shaped by the cultural and social contexts in which it is created and consumed.

Despite the challenges and complexities that virtual reality presents, Tavinor believes that it holds significant promise for the future of media and art. He argues that virtual reality can be used to create immersive and interactive experiences that blur the boundaries between reality and fiction, allowing us to explore new realms of imagination and creativity. Moreover, virtual reality has the potential to transform the way we communicate and interact with each other, offering new avenues for storytelling, education, and social engagement.

The Aesthetics of Virtual Reality is a groundbreaking work that will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in aesthetics, philosophy of art, philosophy of technology, metaphysics, and game studies. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the aesthetics of virtual reality media, offering a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of media and technology.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367620424