Phenomenal Beauty: Toward an Aesthetic of Conscious Experience
Journal of Consciousness Studies October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.53765/20512201.32.9.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that at least some conscious experiences are aesthetically valuable, that phenomenal consciousness as a whole is plausibly an aesthetically valuable addition to the universe, and that its existence in an otherwise mindless cosmos merits the awe characteristic of the sublime. Proposes that consciousness aesthetics is a viable branch of aesthetics, and explores the further thesis that all aesthetic value is originally in consciousness. |
Abstract
This paper defends four main theses. First, at least some conscious experiences are aesthetically valuable. Second, phenomenal consciousness as a whole – as a general phenomenon – is plausibly an aesthetically valuable addition to the universe. Third, the fact that something like phenomenal consciousness exists in a world otherwise consisting in particles mindlessly buzzing in mostly empty space merits the kind of awe characteristic of the aesthetic category of the sublime. Fourth, given all of the above, consciousness aesthetics is a viable branch of aesthetics. A fifth and more daring thesis is also explored: that all aesthetic value is originally in consciousness.