Paleoaesthetics and the Practice of Paleontology

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. Paleoaesthetics; 3. Historical cognitivism; 4. Aesthetic-epistemic feedback effects; 5. Functional morphology as aesthetic engagement; 6. Explaining historical scientific success; 7. Fossils as epistemic tools and aesthetic things; 8. The dinosaur phylogeny debate; 9. Why are dinosaurs always fighting?; 10. Conclusion.

Summary

This Element argues that knowledge of something's history makes a difference to how we engage with it aesthetically. This means that investigation of the deep past can contribute to aesthetic aims. Aesthetic engagement with fossils and landscapes is also crucial to explaining paleontology's epistemic successes.

Product details

• Authors: Derek (Connecticut College) Turner, Derek D. Turner, Derek D. (Connecticut College) Turner
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2019
• EAN: 9781108727822
• ISBN: 978-1-108-72782-2
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in the Philosophy of; Elements in the Philosophy of Biology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; History, HISTORY / General, PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, Philosophy, SCIENCE / Paleontology, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Palaeontology