Aesthetic Life and Why It Matters offers three new answers to Socrates's great question about how we should live, which focus on the place of aesthetic engagement in well-being. Three philosophers offer their perspectives on how aesthetic commitments move us through the world and shape our well-being, our sense of self, and our connections to others.
The book presents a groundbreaking perspective on art philosophy, arguing against traditional definitions that fail to address complex cases. It introduces Lopes's "buck passing" theory, which effectively captures the essence of avant-garde art and its provocative nature. By focusing on the idea that a work of art is simply a product of one of the arts, it challenges conventional views and encourages a deeper understanding of artistic expression.