What’s Special?

This chapter considers the notion of aesthetic attitude. It asks: how can we be sure that there is such a thing as an aesthetic attitude? Is there evidence that our perception of an event or object can change depending on the attitude we adopt towards it, or that there is a change in brain activity? Few music psychologists have adopted the position that aesthetic responses are distinct or that they involve an aesthetic attitude. Therefore, to investigate these notions in more detail, and to understand the kind of perceptual dimensions that may come into play, the chapter turns to a neighbouring field for guidance, i.e. philosophical aesthetics.