Edited with Elizabeth Scarbrough (Under Contract with Routledge).

This multi-author introductory aesthetic coursebook aims to set itself apart from other textbooks in three major ways. First, in contrast to most aesthetics coursebooks, we do not break down chapters along the lines of artforms (e.g., philosophy of music, philosophy of film, etc.). Our view is that the standard artform-driven format encourages authors to focus on metaphysical issues which, while interesting to researchers, require more motivation for students. Instead, we focus each chapter on different aesthetic concepts which crosscuts various artforms. This also allows instructors to focus in on examples from different artforms to suite their interests and background knowledge. Second, we orient the book around aesthetic issues of social importance (e.g., artistic gatekeeping, cultural appropriation, beauty standards, ethics and art, etc.) rather than on issues of importance only in the context of an individual's private experience of engaging with a work. Finally, we instruct each author to engage with 1) non-Eurocentric philosophical traditions, 2) alternative methodologies (e.g., Continental philosophy, empirical research, etc.), and/or 3) critical perspectives from the philosophy of gender, sex, race, and disability. The goal of this requirement is to both enhance the quality of the final product, but also to show the full breadth of what philosophy of art can be, who it has been done by, and who it is for. 

VIEW THE TABLE CONTENTS HERE.