Phenomenology of Perception

Phenomenology of Perception, primarily developed by Maurice Merleau-Ponty, explores how we experience and understand the world through our senses and consciousness. In the context of aesthetics, it emphasizes that beauty and art are perceived through lived experiences, not just fixed representations. Concepts like mimesis (imitation) and the sublime (profound beauty or awe) are understood as deeply personal and subjective. Aesthetic relativism acknowledges that perceptions of beauty vary across cultures and individuals, while aesthetic subjectivism suggests that these experiences are shaped by personal feelings and contexts, leading to unique interpretations of art and beauty.