XIII—On Pensiveness: A Defence of Aesthetic Cognitivism

Simoniti, Vid ORCID: 0000-0001-5832-9587 (2025) XIII—On Pensiveness: A Defence of Aesthetic Cognitivism Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 125 (3). pp. 275-297. ISSN 0066-7374, 1467-9264

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Abstract

Abstract Arguments aim to reach conclusions, but artworks tend to leave us in a state of rumination, perplexity or musing. I describe this state—pensiveness—as a dynamic mode of grappling with some proposition. I then defend the claim that pensiveness is epistemically valuable, in so far as it allows subjects to entertain propositions which they are not yet in a position to know. Pensive artworks, therefore, do not teach us anything; they allow us a glimpse of important things, which as flawed beings we cannot yet grasp.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5003 Philosophy, 5004 Religious Studies, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of the Arts Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > Faculty of Humanities & Social Sci (All T&R Staff) Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of the Arts > School of the Arts (T&R Staff)
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2025 11:42
Last Modified:	28 Jan 2026 08:16
DOI:	10.1093/arisoc/aoaf017
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/arisoc/aoaf017
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194850
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