Environmental Aesthetics

Aesthetics, specifically environmental aesthetics, are of great interest to me. Environmental aesthetics is the investigation of the aesthetic appreciation of natural environments (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008). It is the division of philosophy that examines why and how we appreciate the environment. In some circumstances, it is even extended to encompass the aesthetics of everyday life.

Sometimes I pause, and think about what philosophy is. WordNet Search defines philosophy as "the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics." But what is it's purpose? And why doesn't something as important as the nature of reality touch our everyday lives more often? A wonderful article entitled "The Purpose and Importance of Philosophy" can be found here. Ms. Stephanie Paey goes over how philosophy "does not exist as a means to an end; it does not have a particularly defined purpose.” And yet…”there must be some question that the philosopher is trying to solve, some understanding that he is trying to reach (“Themes” 8-25)." I love philosophy - it makes me feel so intellectual! Philosophy is a sustainable resource – we will never run out of areas to examine, or puzzles to unravel.

A common problem in philosophically inclined essays is that they begin to sound like stereo instructions - or for the stereo inclined, like some incomprehensible text about a subject you've never heard of. I’m sure if you read and think about philosophy every day, things begin to seem clearer until one can’t help but string together one complex thought after another. But I will endeavor to be clear to the non-philosopher, a title I probably qualify for myself. Environmental aesthetics is where our minds open up to the beauty of the world around us, to the reality of our everyday lives, to all the wonder nature has to offer. In my next post, I will illustrate opportunities for the aesthetic appreciation of nature using photos of the outdoors I have taken over the past few years. Together we will explore the New Jersey outdoors to see the best it has to offer.

Citations:
Smith, John E. Themes in American Philosophy: Purpose, Experience, and Community. Harper Torchbooks: New York, 1970.