On the Interest in Beauty and Disinterest

Contemporary philosophical attitudes toward beauty are hard to reconcile with its importance in the history of philosophy. Philosophers used to allow it a starring role in their theories of autonomy, morality, or the good life. But today, if beauty is discussed at all, it is often explicitly denied any such importance. This is due, in part, to the thought that beauty is the object of “disinterested pleasure”. In this paper I clarify the notion of disinterest and develop two general strategies for resisting the emphasis on it, in the hopes of getting a clearer view of beauty’s significance. I present and discuss several literary depictions of the encounter with beauty that motivate both strategies. These depictions illustrate the ways in which aesthetic experience can be personally transformative. I argue that they present difficulties for disinterest theories and suggest we abandon the concept of disinterest to focus instead on the special kind of interest beauty fuels. I propose a closer look at the Platonic thought that beauty is the object of love.

Manual of instruction in forge and machine work, with figured drawings of methods and exercises used in the Fowler shops of Kansas University.

Mode of access: Internet.

Lockwood's dictionary of terms used in the practice of mechanical engineering, embracing those current in the drawing office, pattern shop, foundry, fitting, turning, smiths' and boiler shops, etc., etc., comprising upwards of seven thousand definitions,

Mode of access: Internet.

Dried flowers with a fresh look; how to preserve the color and the beauty of your garden flowers and keep foliages, ferns, berries, cones and wood in fine condition for a long time,

Mode of access: Internet.

Bulbs for beauty.

Mode of access: Internet.

Beauty; illustrated chiefly by an analysis and classification of beauty in woman.

Mode of access: Internet.

The prairie spirit in landscape gardening : what the people of Illinois have done and can do toward designing and planting public and private grounds for efficiency and beauty /

Cover title.

Audit of the Senate barber shops revolving fund for calendar year ... /

Description based on: 1979.

Six anonymous plays. First series (c. 1510-1537) comprising Four elements--The beauty and good properties of women (usually known as Calisto and Melibæa)--Every man--Hickscorner--The world and the child--Thersites--Note-book and word-list, ed.

With facsimile reproductions of original title-pages.

La belle au bois dormant = The sleeping beauty = Die verwunschene Prinzessin /

For voice and piano; English, French and German words.

The theory of beauty.

Mode of access: Internet.

Presentation made by the Railway employees' department of the American federation of labor before the United States Railroad labor board, Chicago, Illinois, 1921 : in reply to the objections of the railroads as presented by the Conference committee of managers of the Association of railway executives : National agreement, federated craft shops.

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Louise, or, The beauty of integrity : a story for the young ; to which are added The mother's grave and No place like home.

Mode of access: Internet.

The principles of beauty in colouring systematized /

Illustrations consist of color chips.

"The ladies!" a shining constellation of wit and beauty,

The diurnal of Mrs. Elizth Pepys.--The mystery of Stella.--My lady Mary.--The golden vanity.--The Walpole beauty.--A bluestocking at court.--The Darcys of Rosing.