Monroe C. Beardsley

Monroe C. Beardsley was an influential American philosopher and aesthetician known for his work in the philosophy of art and criticism. He emphasized the importance of analyzing artworks objectively, focusing on their form and structure rather than personal feelings or social contexts. Beardsley advocated for a formalist approach, suggesting that the value of art lies in its intrinsic qualities, such as composition and style. His ideas, particularly in his influential book "Aesthetics," helped shape modern discussions about artistic evaluation and the nature of beauty, making significant contributions to how we think about and critique art.