Two Problems in Scientific Cognitivism

Abstract

I try to interpret the notion of “scientific cognitivism” that can be found in Allen Carlson’s works. I argue first that, contrary to Carlson’s view, scientific knowledge does not play a necessary role in the aesthetic appreciation of nature but may even be detrimental to it. Mark Twain’s aesthetic experience from the perspective of a practical level is exemplary. I argue scientific cognitivism has no plausibility in the appreciation of nature. I then analyze an inappropriate sense of scientific cognitivism in the aesthetic appreciation of nature on a theoretical level, including Kant’s theory and other environmental philosophers such as Hepburn, Zangwill, and Berleant. In conclusion, I claim that scientific cognitivism enables inappropriate aesthetic appreciations of nature.

Keywords

• scientific cognitivism
• kantian aesthetics
• aesthetic appreciation of nature
• adherent beauty
• environmental aesthetics