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Aesthetic meanings and aesthetic emotions: How historical and intentional knowledge expand aesthetic experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2013

Paul J. Silvia*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170. p_silvia@uncg.eduhttp://silvia.socialpsychology.org

Abstract

This comment proposes that Bullot & Reber's (B&R's) emphasis on historical and intentional knowledge expands the range of emotions that can be properly viewed as aesthetic states. Many feelings, such as anger, contempt, shame, confusion, and pride, come about through complex aesthetic meanings, which integrate conceptual knowledge, beliefs about the work and the artist's intentions, and the perceiver's goals and values.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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