Kendall Walton (Philosopher known for his work in aesthetics, including anti-realism)

Kendall Walton is a philosopher known for his significant contributions to aesthetics, particularly in the debate between aesthetic realism and anti-realism. Aesthetic realism asserts that there are objective truths about beauty and artistic value, independent of personal feelings. In contrast, Walton's anti-realism argues that our responses to art are shaped by social practices, contexts, and imagination, not by fixed qualities. He suggests that meaning in art comes from the interactions between viewers and artworks, emphasizing how context influences our perception of beauty and artistic significance, ultimately encouraging a more subjective understanding of aesthetics.