Art can transform us in relevant ways. It can change the way we perceive and think about the world around us. It can motivate us to adopt new behavior (Aumann, 2020).

In this project, we aim to shed light on the mechanisms by which this kind of transformation works.

• What constitutes an aesthetic transformative experience?

• How do people think about being changed by art?

• How do artistic domains (e.g., architecture, visual artworks, literature, etc.) differ in their transformative potential?

During the AML Lunch Colloqia, we focus upon these questions aiming to develop a philosophical framework for the concept of aesthetic transformations, discussing the theories by L. A. Paul, Alva Noë, and colleagues.

In a recent study on the perception of transformability through the arts, we ask participants which kinds of art they think have most impact on their lives. Ultimately, we will embed empirical findings into an overall philosophical framework of aesthetic transformation within the context of 4E Cognition and develop testable hypotheses for further empirical research.

Collaborators (alphabetical): Denise Baron, Joerg Fingerhut, Corinna Kühnapfel, Julian Kutsche, Manos Tsakiris