A modular explanation of the aesthetic attitude

Abstract

Today cognitive sciences offer a rich set of concepts and empirical data useful to explain some of the most relevant notions of aesthetic tradition and psychology of art. In this paper the perspective of mind modularity, one of the most productive research areas in cognitive sciences, is developed as theoretical basis to understand both properties and functions of the aesthetic attitude. In turn, the modular explanation of the aesthetic attitude represents a very important case study that provides general information about modularity as such.